Adolescent to Parent Violence in the Wake of Domestic and Family Violence: Practitioner Insights

Adolescent-to-parent violence (APV) is increasingly recognized as a social problem and is correlated with exposure to other types of violence in the family. Some young people using violence against parents have been exposed to domestic and family violence (DFV) and many of them are boys and most victims are mothers. Increasingly practitioners are being asked to respond to this issue yet relatively little specific services exist and knowledge on how best to respond is embryonic. Children are direct victims of DFV whether it be through being a target or through exposure to violence against their mothers, siblings, and pets; trying to intervene in the abuse; being caught in the middle of violence directed at mothers; and by being manipulated into participating in the abuse. These exposures can have range of trauma effects such as attachment problems and anxiety. This paper reports on the findings of an evaluation of an innovative intervention aiming to address APV, specifically son-to-mother violence, in the context of adult perpetrated DFV delivered in Queensland (Australia). This paper addresses a gap in the literature by reporting on practitioner perspectives regarding the knowledge, skills and process required to engage sons aged 12–17 years in APV interventions aimed at reducing violence, rebuilding attachment and addressing trauma. This paper draws on data an evaluation of an APV program. Thematic analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 14 practitioners who delivered either psychoeducation or therapeutic interventions within the program. Key themes from the study indicate that practitioners advocate for the use of a trauma-informed lens and outreach approach to engage young people around the violence they have experienced, and to subsequently build engagement to address the young persons’ use of violence. There was recognition of the important relationships between Young People’s Workers and Women’s Advocates to ensure both young people’s and mothers’ voices guided the intervention. The findings can inform practice in encouraging behaviour change and recovery for young people using violence who have been exposed to DFV and provides suggestions for both clinical interventions and future research in APV.