A new series highlighting how the struggles of dealing with the UK’s most violent and difficult children can devastate entire families proved a sad “eye-opener” for many viewers last night.
Channel 5’s Violent Child, Desperate Parents left many viewers distressed at shocking scenes which included a nine-year-old savagely swearing, beating and spitting at his mother.
Distraught single mum Debbie, 36, admitted to fears her son Joe might kill her due to his increasingly vicious behaviour.
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Seen terrorising her and his three siblings, Joe was recently diagnosed with ADHD. But Debbie had been left at her wits’ end trying to stem the tide of abuse from her son, which has included him calling her a “fat [bleep]” and telling her to “[bleep] off”.
She said: “Joseph is the dictator in the household.
“It’s ‘what I want till I get it’ and if you don’t let me have it you’re going to be spat at, sworn at and kicked. You’re going to get it at you.”
The heartbroken mum continued: “Not long ago Joseph threw a boot at me and I thought he’d broken my jaw.”
Terrified Debbie also revealed Joe had even brandished weapons during attacks on her.
“How can my child who loves his mum hurt me in this way?” she asked.
“He’s wielded knives at me, he’s gone at me with a hammer.
“He’s getting bigger, he’s getting stronger. One day he might hit me and I might not come back from that.”
Violent Child, desperate parents. Poor Joe – bless him he has his struggles and his siblings are all living under the pressure. Bless that dear family and his mum. So hard to know what to do for the best in the moment. Looks like they got this now!
— Sarah Hicks Cowling (@SarahKCowling) February 28, 2018
I don’t know how anyone can say ADHD isn’t real after watching Violent Child Desperate Parents. That poor little boy 😢 any family going through that deserve to be massively respected. #violentchilddesperateparents
— Lucy Atkinson (@Lu_Alexandra_) February 28, 2018
@channel5_tv violent child, desperate parents! When you can completely relate and wish there was more understanding 😢xx
— Tracey Kay (@traceykay83) February 28, 2018
And although Debbie bears the brunt of Joe’s behaviour, his elder sister revealed how Joe’s brothers are also forced to cope with his problems.
Sara-Jayne, 16, said: “I spend most of my time in my room but when I do go downstairs I have to prepare myself to see if there’s a kick off.”
Brother Vinny, 13, admitted he does hit back when Joe attacks – but, as seen in one desperately sad instance, Joe also lashes out at his four-year-old brother Harvey.
Vinny said: “When Joe kicks off I try and defend my mum by hitting him and it doesn’t work and it carries on.”
Violent child desperate parents. Starting to be heartwarming. Well done Debbie. So hard taking a step back #violent child #parents
— Islay (@islaymvchild) February 28, 2018
@channel5_tv Violent Child, Desperate Parents is brilliant. Some really great strategies for parents about stepping back and understanding the anger. #emojis
— The Central Exchange (@Central_Exc) February 28, 2018
Not all viewers were sympathetic to the family’s plight however, with many suggesting on Twitter that discipline and physical punishment should be dealt out to Joe.
Some even blamed Debbie for her son’s condition.
Violent child desperate parents omg cmon if any of my children would have spat at me let alone hit me I swear too god 😡😡😡😡 makes my blood boil and sorry but i blame the parents
— mandy kelly (@kelly1Amanda) March 1, 2018
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Violent Child, Desperate Parents is on Channel 5, Wednesdays at 9pm.
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