Experts call for urgent action on childhood verbal abuse at House of Commons
Leading experts gathered at the House of Commons to call for urgent national action to tackle childhood verbal abuse.
Hosted by Sharon Hodgson MP and convened by the charity Words Matter, the expert-led discussion highlighted the critical need to include verbal abuse prevention in the Government’s mission to raise the healthiest generation of children in history and break down barriers to opportunity.
Speakers at the first event about childhood verbal abuse in the House of Commons included Karen Hughes, Professor of Public Health, Public Health Wales, 18ҹ and expert advisor to the World Health Organisation.
Childhood verbal abuse is now recognised as the most prevalent form of child maltreatment.
Extensive research shows that verbal abuse – including blaming, insulting, scolding, criticising, or threatening children – can be as harmful as physical or sexual abuse. Its long-term effects include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep difficulties, substance misuse, self-harm, and suicide.
In the UK, 2 in 5 children (41%) experience verbal abuse, with over half exposed to it weekly and 1 in 10 every day. Parents, carers, teachers, and activity leaders and coaches are the primary sources. The issue cuts across all social and regional boundaries – it is widespread and indiscriminate.
Karen Hughes, Professor of Public Health, Public Health Wales, 18ҹ and expert advisor to the World Health Organization, said, “While physical abuse of children is declining, verbal abuse is not. Verbal abuse can seriously damage a child’s long-term health and wellbeing, raising the risk of mental health problems, substance misuse, and violence. Preventing it is just as vital as tackling physical abuse. Creating safe, nurturing environments means ensuring parents, policymakers, and all adults understand the harms of verbal abuse - and are equipped with the skills and support needed to raise children positively."
Sharon Hodgson MP said, “Important progress has been made in tackling physical and sexual abuse through awareness and intervention. But verbal abuse has remained under the radar. As we’ve heard today, it is now the most common form of child maltreatment, with significant and lasting harm. I’m proud to support Words Matter in bringing experts together to start the essential conversations needed to build interventions, break down barriers to opportunity, and help every child thrive.”
Other contributors to the discussion include Professor Peter Fonagy, Head of the Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, University College London (UCL), and Government advisor; Professor Eamon McCrory, CEO of Anna Freud and Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology, UCL; Professor Andrea Danese, Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King’s College London, and General Secretary of the European Association for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; and Jessica Bondy, Founder, Words Matter.
A groundbreaking study by leading economist Dr Xiangming Fang, estimates the global economic cost of verbal abuse in childhood – through its effects on health alone – at £239 billion annually. The figure does not even account for wider impacts on education, employability, and future productivity.
Professor Peter Fonagy, Head of the Division of Psychology & Language Sciences at UCL, said, “We must bring verbal abuse out of the shadows and give it the same attention as other forms of maltreatment. It is one of the most preventable causes of mental health problems. Harsh words can actively weaken the brain’s foundation during development. Children need kind, supportive communication from adults – it’s vital for building their identity and emotional resilience.”
Jessica Bondy, Founder of Words Matter, said, “If we are serious about raising the healthiest generation in history and breaking down barriers to opportunity, we must focus on how adults speak to children. Words have power. For a child, harsh language can tear them down and affect every part of their life – at home, at school, in their future relationships and contribution to society. When we respect children with our words, we teach them to respect themselves and others.”
As the British Government moves forward on its mental health and wellbeing strategy for children, Words Matter is calling for verbal abuse prevention to become a core focus – with training, awareness, and support for all adults in children’s lives.