The issue of parents who are victims of violence at the hands of their children is a largely hidden ‘but growing social problem in Ireland and across Europe', experts have said.

Child to parent violence refers to situations where a son or daughter under the age of 18 uses violence and controlling behaviour towards their parents.

In such cases, parents often feel frightened and ashamed and do not know where to go for help. Furthermore, healthcare workers, researchers and policy makers are often unsure about how to deal with this issue.

However, a forthcoming conference aims to provide much needed information to people working in this field.

The Child to Parent Violence: Innovations in Practice, Policy and Research conference will be held in NUI Galway next month. It aims to raise awareness of this issue and provide information about how best to respond to such cases.

"Practitioners working with families in Ireland are increasingly hearing parents describing their experiences of child to parent violence. The conference will assist social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, juvenile justice practitioners and others working with children and families across a range of services increase their awareness and skills development when faced with child to parent violence," said Declan Coogan, a lecturer in social work at NUI Galway.

The conference is part of an EU programme taking place in five countries, known as the Responding to Child to Parent Violence (RCPV) project. It is made up of a team of international experts and Mr Coogan is the RCPV project leader for Ireland.

Some 200 people are expected to attend the conference which will take place from June 12-13 in NUI Galway.