Young people call for urgent action to end childhood verbal abuse by adults

Published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, a first-of-its-kind essay, written by young people on the “harm that leaves no bruises”, combines lived experience and scientific evidence to highlight the impact of harmful adult language. The essay describes how harsh language from adults – including blaming, shaming, humiliating, and criticising – can become “an inner voice that did not begin as our own”, shaping children’s sense of self, safety, and belonging. FK&Y research found that two in five children in the UK experience verbal abuse from adults, with over half of these experiencing it weekly and one in ten daily. There is growing evidence that childhood verbal abuse can have lifelong consequences, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance misuse, self-harm and even suicide. Despite this, childhood verbal abuse continues to be dismissed as “just words” or framed as discipline. The essay calls on the UK government to formally recognise childhood verbal abuse within public health and safeguarding strategies, improve data collection, and invest in prevention programmes. Its recommendations include parenting support, training for teachers and coaches, and raising public awareness of how everyday language shapes children’s mental health. Jessica Bondy, Founder of Words Matter, said: “For too long, verbal abuse has gone under the radar, yet the harm is real and long-lasting – it affects developing brains, and shapes lives and futures. This essay shows the power of young people’s voices in making their experiences visible. We must listen to children and young people, acknowledge their experiences, and address this issue as the serious child rights concern it is. We must take action to prevent this harm.” Read the essay here.