• British mother faces violent attacks from her children under 11
• Child-to-parent violence reports have doubled in recent years

A mother of four from Britain expressed feeling "horrified" and "ashamed" after being subjected to violent attacks by her children, noting that they would sometimes come at her with knives and scissors.

She added that she did not know how to seek help, and that the violent incidents could last for over an hour.

A UK-based organization supporting families facing child-to-parent aggression said the number of referrals has increased significantly since its founding in 2020, now averaging 40 referrals per month, with a 500% rise over the past five years, according to CEO Jane Griffiths, who noted that growing awareness of the issue contributed to this increase.

The mother explained that her four children are all under 11, and that her two oldest, despite receiving excellent school reports, would display "extreme rage" at home at unexpected times. Both are on waiting lists for neurodiversity assessments.

She said she had been spat at, had her hair pulled, and bitten at times to the point of severe pain.

A behavioural consultant noted that some children turn to aggression due to unmet needs or underdeveloped emotional coping skills, and that the challenge is rarely just about anger, emphasizing the importance of parents remaining calm and consistent in chaotic situations.

Police statistics show that ten years ago there were 522 reports of children being violent toward their parents or carers, but the number more than doubled to 1,229 in 2023, with partial 2025 data showing 961 reports up to November. Support groups note that the true figures could be higher due to parents’ reluctance to report.

UK police confirmed they work with social services to ensure all parties are safeguarded when such crimes are reported, and investigations take victims' wishes into account, as prosecution is not always the desired outcome, especially for young offenders.

Support groups stressed the importance of seeking help, explaining that social, school, and social media pressures may drive children to aggression, and parental stress can worsen the situation.

The mother said she felt relieved after receiving support, noting that controlling her own behaviour helped her manage her children’s behaviour.