In a small room in Enfield, north London, eight women drink coffee and eat biscuits. They’re a crucial support to each other – all have been through, or are still enduring, abuse by their child.
The group is run once a week by the charity PAARS, for parents who suffer abuse from their children. Their stories are harrowing. One mother, Jane,* is called 29 times by her son in three hours, he shouts down the phone demanding money.
Jane, whose sons aged 15 and 17 regularly abuse her, explains: “They weren’t easy toddlers, but now they’re big they frighten me. I’ve had cracked ribs from when they’ve pushed me. One of them is addicted to computer games and if we ever lose our wi-fi connection he goes mad. My husband…
