Anyone know any agencies that provide support for parents who are assaulted by their children?

[LowLevelWhinging]

Apparently the Tulip Group used to do this sort of thing but I don't think they're around anymore.

I've come across a few women in similar situations at work. Usually the sons have observed (and experienced) their fathers abusing their mothers, and then go on to repeat the behaviours years later. Apart from counselling with our local Women's Aid, are their any other agencies that can help? I'm particularly looking for agencies that can offer some positive work with the sons, as well as specialist emotional/practical support for the mums.

Some of the sons are over 18, so too old for children's services.

Is there anything?

TIA

Bump

or any online resources that could help?

I'm sorry I don't know I didn't want to leave your plea unanswered though!

With adult sons, wouldn't the advice be almost the same as for a violent partner? Even harder to bear, of course - it's difficult enough to face terrorism from a husband/boyfirend, let alone your own child. There was a woman in my AA group who had this problem; there was a gaping hole where support should have been. She eventually called the police, got him out & changed the locks, etc. Just harrowing.

Do Womens Aid have no practical advice to offer?

Victim support should be able to help the mothers but I don't know about the sons.

The kids must be really torn up inside. Would the Freedom Program be good for them?

Thanks for your replies.

I'm working for a small DV agency and it comes up every now and again. We can provide practical/emotional support for the mothers but they are saying they don't want to give up on their sons. It seems to be that teenage sons go from being 'damaged children' who are deserving of help, to evil abusers who should rot in hell as soon as they turn 18. I realise that we can't necessarily change all situations for the better, but surely it can't be that black and white?

I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. Maybe family mediation?

Maybe the FP would be a start. We actually run it ourselves, but only for the female survivors of abuse. Who would run it for perpetrators?

Do you have an Family Intervention Projects in your county? They maybe able to help?

www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/men.php
There's a training weekend in July.

There has to be a better chance of improving these men's lives if you can raise their awareness while young. As you say, they've grown up in violent & abusive environments and would still be suffering the pain of not having been loved & supported. They may well be very angry at their mothers (understandably) but they're still not going to feel all that great about beating up their own mum.

Good luck, and I hope you get more useful replies.

I can't find a family intervention project in our borough. There is a family advice and support team but not sure how useful they are in DV scenarios. Worth an enquiry though.

Thanks for the link Grace, I will be asking one of my client's what she thinks of the idea.

No, it's not family mediation I'm after is it? That's not the right terminology. I'm looking for interventions that can help the sons resolve their issues and maybe improve their behaviour/relationships. Thinking about it, maybe the FP would be the most appropriate approach.

Grace, I've been thinking about the freedom programme today and I think it's the best option for one particular family. I think the fact that they can attend with no expectations on them to say anything is a big plus. The son is a victim as well as a perpetrator of abuse, so maybe it could give him an opportunity to understand some of what he's been through.

thanks for all your comments.