Words Matter Events

House of Commons discussion

On 28 April 2025, Words Matter hosted a crucial discussion at the House of Commons about why preventing childhood verbal abuse by adults should be central to the government’s aim of raising the healthiest generation of children in history.

Chaired by Sharon Hodgson MP, the event focused on recent evidence highlighting the serious and lasting effects of verbal abuse – experienced by 2 in 5 children (41%) – which significantly impacts both individuals and wider society.

Speakers included:

Professor Peter Fonagy – Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL and a government advisor.

Professor Eamon McCrory – CEO of Anna Freud and Head of Neuroscience and Developmental Psychopathology at UCL.

Professor Karen Hughes – Professor of Public Health at Public Health Wales, Bangor University and public advisor to WHO.

Professor Andrea Danese – Professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at King’s College London, and General Secretary of the European Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Jessica Bondy – Founder of Words Matter

Summary report

First international conference

On 11 April 2024, Words Matter hosted the first international event on childhood verbal abuse with the World Health Organization (WHO) and University College London’s (UCL) Division of Psychology and Language Sciences.

The conference brought together presentations from global experts in the study of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), neuroscience, developmental psychology, and public health to elucidate and promote discussions on unifying definitions, impact, societal cost burden, and prevention.

Summary report

We are delighted to share with you the Summary report for Words Matter: Impact and Prevention of Childhood Verbal Abuse, prepared by Prathit Singh, Child Rights Consultant and student at Geneva Graduate Institute.

The report provides an excellent overview of everything that was shared during this momentous day. It includes a summary of all talks by Professor Peter Fonagy, Dr Manasi Kumar, Jessica Bondy, Professor Shanta Dube, Professor Mark Bellis, Maria Aarts, Professor Xiangming Fang, Professor Catherine Maternowska, Jonathan Kifunda, Dr Martin Teicher, and finally Dr Berit Kieselbach and Dr Alexander Butchart.

Conference chairs

Programme:

Welcome, introductions and event overview
Professor Peter Fonagy, Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at University College London, Chief Executive of the Anna Freud, UK

Words Matter — The founder’s story
Jessica Bondy, Founder Words Matter, UK

Childhood verbal abuse as a maltreatment subtype: Exploring the unification of definitions and measures and future implications
Professor Shanta R. Dube, Ph.D., MPH, Professor and Director, Master of Public Health Program, Department of Public Health in the Levine College of Health Sciences, Wingate University, US

Prevalence and impact of verbal abuse and other forms of childhood adversity
Professor Mark Bellis, Director of Research, and Innovation at Liverpool John Moores University and founder of WHO Collaborating Centre in Violence Prevention

The Golden Gift — Developmental support to identify, activate and develop skills that contribute to constructive interaction
Maria Aarts, Director and Founder of Marte Meo International, Eindhoven

Afternoon welcome and overview
Dr Manasi Kumar, Research Professor at the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity, NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Affiliate Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Costs of inaction against childhood verbal abuse: Implications for society and the economy
Professor Xiangming Fang, Professor & Director of the Center for Health Economics and Policy at China Agricultural University and the School of Public Health at Georgia State University

Applying the Socio-Ecological Framework: Using data and evidence in practice and policymaking
Professor Catherine Maternowska, Honorary Professor of Violence Prevention for Young People, Moray House School of Education, University of Edinburgh, UK and Jonathan Kifunda, Founder and Executive Director, Thubutu Africa Initiatives.

The neurobiological consequences of childhood verbal abuse
Dr Martin Teicher, Ph.D., MD, Director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program at McLean Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Moving from research to practice
Dr Alexander Butchart, Unit Head, and Dr Berit Kieselbach, Technical Officer, Violence Prevention Unit, Social Determinants of Health Department, World Health Organization

Conference speakers

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