- ‘Words Matter’ discussion urges Government to prioritise verbal abuse prevention in bid to raise healthiest generation in history
- In the UK, 2 in 5 (41%) children experience verbal abuse by adults with lifelong consequences to their mental health and wellbeing
- Growing body of research shows verbal abuse by adults can be as damaging as physical and sexual abuse and change the developing brain
- Critical evidence presented at House of Commons discussion chaired by Sharon Hodgson MP
28 April 2025 – Leading experts gathered at the House of Commons today to call for urgent national action to tackle childhood verbal abuse – now recognised as the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. 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: 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 Karen Hughes, Professor of Public Health, Public Health Wales, Bangor University and expert advisor to the World Health Organization; 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.
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 suicide1, 2.
In the UK, 2 in 5 children (41%) experience verbal abuse, with over half exposed to it weekly and 1 in 10 every day3. Parents, carers, teachers, and activity leaders/coaches are the primary sources. The issue cuts across all social and regional boundaries – it is widespread and indiscriminate.
Sharon Hodgson MP, commenting on the discussion, 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.”
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 billion4 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.”
As the 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.
Jessica Bondy, Founder of Words Matter, said: “Neuroscience shows clearly that verbal abuse profoundly harms children’s developing brains. If the Government truly wants the healthiest generation in history, tackling verbal abuse must become a core part of the national mental health strategy—urgently recognised, systematically monitored, and proactively prevented. Providing targeted support, practical advice, and clear guidelines integrated into training and resources for parents, carers, teachers, coaches, and all adults around children will ensure lasting change. Small shifts in language today can transform children’s lives and futures.”
Professor Eamon McCrory, CEO of Anna Freud and Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology, UCL said: “Verbal abuse profoundly affects children and young people, significantly increasing risk of mental health and social problems throughout life. Our imaging studies clearly show how emotional harm, including verbal abuse, reshapes brain development, altering how young people think of themselves and respond to life’s challenges. It’s crucial to help parents and carers understand the lasting impact their words can have, including their potential to nurture and inspire the next generation.”
Professor Andrea Danese, Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King’s College London, said: “The sticks and stones rhyme is wrong: words can harm a child’s wellbeing and development, and leave lifelong psychological scars. Encouraging language can inspire a child to learn, recover from setbacks, and grow into a fully rounded adult, but being the subject of verbal abuse can twist a young person’s understanding of who they are and their role in the world. Tackling verbal abuse is a key part of raising the next generation of healthy children, and I’m proud to play a helping role.”
Professor Karen Hughes, Professor of Public Health, Public Health Wales, Bangor University 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.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Words Matter: Impact and Prevention of Childhood Verbal Abuse – House of Commons 28 April 2025
Expert-led discussion sponsored by Sharon Hodgson MP.
About Words Matter
Words Matter is a charity (Registered charity number 1201281) on a mission to improve children’s mental and physical health and development by ending verbal abuse by the adults around them. Evidence-based, its activity is focused on research; raising awareness and collaboration with experts, decision makers, other organisations and those with lived experience, to help develop and scale solutions to prevent childhood verbal abuse.
References
1 S.R.Dube et al, Childhood verbal abuse as child maltreatment subtype: a systematic review of the current evidence, Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal Volume 144, October 2023, 106394.
2 Bellis et al, Comparing relationships between single types of adverse childhood experiences and health-related outcomes: a combined primary data study of eight cross-sectional surveys in England and Wales, BMJ Open, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2023
3 Research among children was undertaken by Family, Kids & Youth (FK&Y), led by Dr Barbie Clarke between 1 June and 20 June 2023. 1,166 responses were received (children aged 11–17 years), with 53% (n=619) boys and 47% (n=543) girls, with good representation across all age groups and UK regions.