Merseyside Youth Association launches new educational films to address Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA)
Merseyside Youth Association’s (MYA) RAISE Mental Health Promotion Team is proud to announce the launch of a series of educational films as part of a campaign to raise awareness and provide support on Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA).
CAPVA, a form of domestic abuse that remains under-recognised, has profound impacts on family dynamics and mental health. Funded by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the films have been developed to help families and those working with families identify what is meant by challenging and harmful behaviour by a child towards their parent or caregiver, sometimes referred to as CAPVA.
Damian Hart, Principal Development Manager at MYA, said: “We want to break down the stigma associated with not having conversations about these experiences and empower and enable families to find the right support.”
Created in partnership with Capa First Response, the films help professionals effectively identify and respond to signs of CAPVA.
Jane Griffiths, CEO of Capa First Response, said: “Based on real situations experienced by families, the films cover a range of scenarios, including understanding the causes of CAPVA, strategies for intervention, and creating a safe environment for families dealing with these challenges. We created them in response to the need to raise awareness of this important, hidden harm that can devastate family relationships.”
In addition to the films, training and resources offer essential information to help parents, carers, and professionals understand and manage CAPVA, providing practical guidance and insight on this complex issue.
A recent study by Liverpool John Moors University (LJMU) identified a significant portion of both parents (65%) and practitioners (85%) agree that CAPVA is a problem in Merseyside. A majority of practitioners (67%) perceived an increase in CAPVA incidents in the past year compared to the previous year, while none reported a decrease.[1]
“We recognise the profound impact CAPVA can have on families and understand the need for accessible support and resources,” says Roger Thompson, MVRP Education Lead. “These films and training sessions are a part of our ongoing commitment to ensure families, carers, and professionals are empowered with the knowledge and tools they need to create safe, supportive environments.”
By offering free, accessible resources and training, we’re actively working to reduce the stigma surrounding CAPVA and equip the community with essential knowledge to support affected families.”
Watch the films
Training available
In conjunction with these films, Merseyside Youth Association is offering free ongoing online training sessions for professionals, parents, and carers. These sessions delve deeper into CAPVA, equipping delegates with the skills and strategies needed to support families and children affected by CAPVA. The training will provide reflective discussions, practical tools, and a supportive space to better understand and address CAPVA in their work and daily lives.
Upcoming training session:
Date:
14/01/2025 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Online
Further information
Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP) is a team of subject leads and experts working to address the underlying causes of violence and working with communities to prevent it.
Merseyside Youth Association’s RAISE Mental Health Promotion Team specialises in promoting mental health and resilience to children & young people. The team delivers mental health training for children and young people and bitesize courses for parents, carers, and professionals.
Capa First Response – support service for families and professionals – supporting those impacted by a child using harmful and/or aggressive behaviours towards a parent or caregiver. This is often referred to as ‘CAPVA’ Child or Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse.
[1] https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/-/media/phi-reports/pdf/2023-12-merseyside-violence-reduction-partnership-child-adolescent-to-parent-violence-and-abuse.pdf