i was attacked by my 17 year old daughter yesterday evening,

Yes, sorry. IPADs have their failings.

I guessed there had been some previous contact with the police. 17 year olds do not usually threaten to involve police in family disputes unless the have seen their parents or another example doing so.

The fact that you have a conviction for common assault does not mean that you cannot be the victim of an assault. Im not even sure they would get that in as bad character since they are different victims.

But overall, it depends really whether you think she is going to do this. If she's made allegations against you before then you cannot ignore the fact that she may well take this action.

For what its worth, I do agree that the law is unfairly biased in favour of women especially where assaults are concerned. But if you think she's going to do this and you can truthfully make a report of assault then you are in a better position if you do so. As a general rule, with fights, the person who reports it first becomes the Crown's victim for no other good reason really than that they reported it first. If you were struck first then you do have the basis of a complaint unless, of course, you went completely over the top in responding.

I do understand your points about your son and I do agree. Good parents don't put their children in a position where they have to see things like this. However, you are not responsible for this. She is threatening to make allegations to the police and you are just protecting yourself. You are not responsible for the exposure he is having to the criminal justice system.

She could get her friends to lie for her but she could do that anyway and it would be better if you had reported the truth first.