Will you be a voice for babies in the upcoming general election?
1 in 5 babies in the UK grow up in a household where there is domestic abuse.
Experiencing domestic abuse during the first 1001 days of a baby’s life profoundly affects their emotional and physical development. Moreover, children who witness domestic abuse are at a higher risk of perpetuating or experiencing domestic abuse in their adult lives.
Let’s make breaking the cycle of domestic abuse a top priority for the next government, giving the next generation the best start in life.
Our policy calls
This general election, we urge all parties to:
Prioritise the needs of babies and children in the response to domestic abuse.
Adopt trauma-informed approaches to break cycles of domestic abuse.
Invest in evidence-based practice and evaluation of domestic abuse programmes.
This includes ring-fenced funding for whole-family approaches, support for all parents who want help starting in pregnancy, a national framework for programmes that aim to reduce the impact of domestic abuse on babies and children and ensuring authentic voices of families impacted by domestic abuse shape policy and practice.
We’re calling on the next government to prioritise understanding the root causes of abusive behaviours and implementing effective interventions for lasting change, exploring the link between mental ill health, childhood trauma and domestic abuse, and working to reduce stigma and other barriers to seeking help.
This means providing funding and support to build the evidence base of what works to reduce the impact of domestic abuse on babies and children. A Pro Bono Economics report showed that a failure to support children exposed to domestic violence in the UK may be costing taxpayers between £480 million and £1.4 billion. Investment in reducing the impact is crucial.
Influencing policy and practice
We aim to expand support for babies and families affected by domestic abuse by sharing our innovative knowledge and collaborating with others to influence practices, policies, and systems. By joining our voice and expertise with others, we advocate for babies and parents receiving the support they need, when they need it, to break cycles of domestic abuse and childhood trauma and to build lasting resilience.
Cross-sector collaboration
We are proud to support organisations that share our commitment to babies, children, and families:
The First 1001 Days Movement: Manifesto for Babies
Children's Charity Coalition: Children at the Table
We stand with the First 1001 Days Movement, and advocate for their Manifesto For Babies, positioning the needs and rights of babies at the forefront of policy.
We are supporters of Children at the Table, a cross-sector campaign urging policy makers to prioritise children in decision-making.
How you can be a voice for babies this general election
Stelio Stefanou founded The For Baby’s Sake Trust to give a voice to the voiceless, and to tackle the root causes of disadvantage and vulnerability. Join us in speaking up for babies this general election.
Reach out to your MP
Share our policy calls
Make your vote count
Whether it’s over the phone, via email or letter or with campaigners on the door, share with MPs and party members your concerns about the impact of domestic abuse on babies, children and families
Use your network to amplify our message. Share our policy calls across your social media, through organisations you are affiliated with, and keep up to date with our campaigns.
Ensure the interests of parents, babies and whole families are represented in this election. For guidance on how and where to vote, head here.
How to Calm Political Tensions in Families
Elections can be a challenging time for family relationships, especially when there is political tension in the home. Our Therapeutic Lead, Brenda Evans, shares insight on how to find resolutions and reach compromises:
Be curious, not judgemental
Politics by its very nature is an emotive topic and when we feel passionately about something, it can be difficult to remain contained and regulate our emotions. Be prepared to listen to opposing views and not respond with counterarguments to prove a point as most politicians do. Opinions will not always be aligned just because we love partners, friends, and family members but that shouldn’t become problematic if we remain respectful. Learn to have discussions that are not simply about trying to convince people that your views are the right ones. Don’t interrupt, never make it personal and avoid judgements, sarcasm and trying to appear superior.
Learn the difference between a debate and an argument
A debate is fundamentally an organised discussion on a particular subject in which opposing arguments are debated, it’s rather like an intellectual sport where you need to learn the skills to win but, it’s not an argument. When we hold a strong opinion about something it can be easy to see that opinion as fact. When our partner or family member opposes that opinion, discuss it calmly and use humour to deflect any escalation.
Find some common ground
Although you may have conflicting opinions on a political topic, there’s a good chance that you can agree on at least one aspect of it. Finding common ground like this helps alleviate the intensity of the conversation.
Early revelations
Politics can be as precious to people as religion, a football team, or any other passionate pursuit so it makes sense to discuss these things at an early stage in a relationship, not revealing a potential deal breaker when other feelings have developed. Identify non-negotiable areas, agree to differ, and move on.
Opposites attract
There is some truth in this so ask questions that prompt critical thinking. Don’t say ‘You’re wrong’, maybe suggest that you are receptive to hearing more about it, but you would appreciate the same level of openness from them.
Set rules & boundaries
By doing this you can avoid shaming & blaming that are particularly toxic within the context of intimate or familial relationships and potentially more dangerous, causing long-term ruptures. Avoid these discussions if you are tired, stressed or you’ve had a really bad day. Agree to disagree.
In your own time
Avoiding politics entirely isn’t realistic, but for some families, limiting political conversations, especially until after the election is over, could be a strategy that works. Don’t allow it to damage relationships, see it for what is, a different opinion we all have the right to hold.
Support us
To support our mission all year round, head here. No matter how big or small, your donation enables us to break cycles of domestic abuse and give babies the best start in life.
