Child and adolescent to parent violence and abuse (CAPVA) is a form of family abuse where children and adolescents engage in harmful behaviors towards parents or caregivers to get their own way, inflict harm, communicate distress, or exert control. CAPVA encompasses various behaviors, including physical violence such as hitting and pushing, verbal abuse like threats and insults, emotional manipulation including blackmail and isolation, and financial abuse through theft or coercion for money. This type of abuse is complex and multifaceted, often involving underlying behavioral or emotional disorders in the perpetrating youth, and can occur in families from any socio-economic background. This abuse has profound short- and long-term implications for the physical and emotional wellbeing of both parents and children/adolescents, and it can severely damage family relationships. Despite increased media and academic attention over the past 15 years, CAPVA remains unrecognized and under-researched, with limited support available for affected families.

This project is being implemented in collaboration with DROGA (Poland), an NGO focused on the social reintegration of people at risk of social exclusion in rural areas, with a particular focus on those affected by domestic violence.

The project’s primary objectives are:

• 1. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge among partnership staff members and their stakeholders working with adults at risk of social exclusion, particularly those affected by different forms of less known abuses
  
  
• 2. Develop a set of new educational tools to support the implementation of joint actions for recognizing and preventing CAPVA by adult educators and relevant stakeholders both local and national levels, in collaboration with NGOs and local communities
  
  
• 3. Pretest the educational tools developed in the project in real-life community of practice (CoP) settings to promote knowledge sharing through a repository of best practices, ensuring accessibility for all stakeholders involved in adult education
  
  
• 4. Raise awareness about the design and implementation of preventive actions related to CAPVA at the local level and national levels.

The project aligns with two key E+ priorities:

• 1. Common values, civic engagement, and participation

CAPVA is intricately linked to broader social concepts such as common values, civic engagement, and participation. Addressing CAPVA will be achieved through the design and implementation of educational programs, community initiatives (CoP), and support networks that promote respect, empathy, and non-violent communication while fostering critical life skills such as effective communication.

• 2. Improving competences of educators and guidance staff

Enhancing the competencies of educators and adult learning and guidance staff is crucial in addressing CAPVA. Well-trained educators and staff will develop a deeper understanding of CAPVA, its causes, and manifestations. This includes recognizing signs of such violence, understanding underlying psychological and social factors, and identifying potential triggers. Programs will equip educators with knowledge about CAPVA dynamics, parenting and its distinctions from other forms of abuse.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EUPA. Neither the European Union nor EUPA can be held responsible for them.