Childhood Verbal Abuse: Expert-Informed Delphi Consensus on Definition and Actions

While existing psychological maltreatment frameworks recognize verbally aggressive behaviors as a key mechanism of harm, childhood verbal abuse has not been independently operationalized as a distinct construct, complicating recognition and response across safeguarding systems. Prevalence estimates vary widely from 18% to 92%, reflecting inconsistent operationalization across studies. This study combined systematic review of 275 sources with expert consultation to establish a consensus-based definition. A six-round Delphi process involved 21 experts with lived experience or professional expertise in child health, education, or social care. Participants evaluated candidate definitions, behaviors, impacts, stakeholders, and actions until ≥70% consensus was reached. The panel endorsed 27 definitional components, 46 abusive behaviors, and 45 recognized impacts. Consensus identified 29 stakeholder groups and 19 recommended actions, prioritizing public awareness, parent education and teacher training. Experts endorsed subtle, digital, and indirect forms of abuse underrepresented in existing research. This study provides a structured, multidisciplinary consensus definition and framework for childhood verbal abuse developed through a process integrating lived experience perspectives. It offers a necessary complement to existing psychological maltreatment frameworks and a foundation for improving identification, prevention, and policy development across health, education, and social care systems.