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CPVA

Upcoming CPVA conference - register now!

On 14 October, VisAble is hosting a one-day online conference on Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) - for parents, caregivers, whānau and professionals. With a line-up of expert national and international speakers, the conference will be great value. 

We'll explore the realities of CPVA, share emerging research and practical responses, and build greater awareness and understanding across Aotearoa.

Find out more information and registration details.

Register now

Pass the Parcel article in the Listener

On 24 January 2026, the Listener published a feature article about Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA). Its author, Paulette Crowley, notes that “Parents of high-needs children who turn violent have nowhere to turn under a system in denial.”

Called Pass the Parcel, the article draws on VisAble’s research and an interview with VisAble’s Lee Tempest (Voice and Choice Educator, CPVA), along with other advocates such as Professor Anita Gibbs.

Download the Listener article for more information.

Photo: Getty Images

Lee Tempest from VisAble and Karena Findlay from Succeed Differently discuss, in a video blog, the lived experience of child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA), exploring its impact on families and the need for better understanding and support.

In September 2025, Lee Tempest talked about Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) with Australian based Carly Flecknoe, who is the creator and host of a podcast for parents and carers of neurodivergent children called You Can Grow Your Own Way.

You can listen now on all major podcast platforms including:

🎙️ Apple Podcasts
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Podbean

Interview on Radio New Zealand

July 2025

Child to Parent Violence and Abuse - Breaking the stigma | RNZ

Interview with Al Coates UK - Follow up

July 2025

Podcast interview with Al Coates UK: Walking with Families part 4.

A follow-up interview with Lee Tempest from New Zealand.

Dyslexia Unpuzzled

December 2024

Nikki speaks with Lee Tempest — Dyslexia Unpuzzled - Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, Maths, Learning Programmes.

Interview with Al Coates UK

November 2024

As part of his Churchill Fellowship researching how countries around the world are responding to CPVA.

CPVA blog

See all posts

CPVA Blog

11 August 2026

The missing conversation about contact after CPVA

11 August 2026

This is written by a parent who has lived with child‑to‑parent violence and abuse. It speaks about different forms of violence, including coercive control. It speaks to endurance, to doing your best in an impossible situation, and to surviving sustained coercive control and violence that is rarely understood or believed when it is inflicted by a child.

Read more →

25 July 2026

17 June 2026

Siblings matter too

17 June 2026

Supporting children and young people affected by Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA).

If you live with a brother or sister whose behaviour sometimes feels confusing, upsetting, or frightening, you are not alone. This guide is here to help you understand what might be happening, how it can affect you, and what you can do to stay safe and get support.

Some families go through very tough times. When a child hurts, scares, or tries to control a parent or caregiver, this is called Child to Parent Violence and Abuse or CPVA for short.

Even if the behaviour isn’t directed at you, it can still affect how your home feels. Living in this situation can be confusing, stressful, and exhausting, and it may leave you feeling scared, worried, sad, angry, or unsure about what to do.