Parents fear their children

[MotherBear]

Parents live in fear of their children
5:00AM Thursday November 29, 2007

Frightened parents are taking out protection orders against their children after being threatened with knifes or assaulted as a new type of family violence escalates.

Others are feeling suicidal and depressed trying to cope with children as young as 7 who are physically violent towards them.

Bay of Plenty social agencies say sibling violence and children being violent towards their parents are both issues "escalating" in the region.

Agencies say the problem is widespread, with doctors, lawyers, police officers, teachers and business people all seeking help for their abusive children, who range in age from primary school age to young adults.

In the past two weeks, seven incidents of this type of violence have been referred to family support organisation Toughlove, by Tauranga Moana Abuse Prevention Strategy.

More here .