STOP THE VIOLENCE!

With domestic abuse towards women on the rise, could the biggest danger to us be our sons?

- FRANCES LEATE

It seems barely a week goes by without a devastating story in the news about a woman or girl being harmed in some way – whether it’s extreme cases like the recent Southport stabbings, resulting in the death of three little girls, or women being murdered in their own homes by partners or family members. Between 2018 and 2023, violence against women and girls rose by almost 40%** and a leading female police chief recently described the sharp increase as a ‘national emergency’.

Possibly most frightening is the rise in reports of child-to-parent violence – mostly of sons towards mothers. There are a number of contributing factors, but researchers believe young people’s ready access to social media plays a huge role, with individuals like influencer Andrew Tate – a self-proclaimed misogynist – becoming unhealthy role models for impressionable youngsters.

So what do you do if your child becomes violent towards you? And how can we stop it? Woman’s Own investigates…

‘I worry about what sort of man he will become – will he be violent to partners?’

Speaking anonymously, a mum of two, based in the UK, describes how her teenage son’s violent outbursts left her traumatised.

When my son Bradley*, then 14, started spending more time in his room during the COVID-19 lockdowns, I didn’t think too much of it. My husband and I tried to get him to come out on family walks, but he complained, so it seemed easier to let him play computer games or watch TV. That’s what teenagers do, isn’t it? But when restrictions lifted, he seemed to have taken on a new persona – he was irritable, aggressive and unpredictable.