Breaking the cycle of abuse in the North East

A ground-breaking domestic abuse programme is expanding into the North East.

For Baby’s Sake, an innovative charity focused on breaking cycles of domestic abuse, has launched its programme in County Durham and Darlington, with plans to extend across the region.

It comes as figures from Health Equity North report 19 cases of domestic abuse per 1000 people in the North East, compared to the national average of 11.

Lauren Seager Smith, chief executive of The For Baby's Sake Trust, said: “We are thrilled to be embedding For Baby’s Sake across the North East. 

“Our team is from the region and are passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of local parents and babies. 

“We are looking forward to growing our relationships with local agencies to deliver For Baby’s Sake to families in County Durham and Darlington and contributing to existing efforts to combat rising levels of domestic abuse and violence.”

The programme supports expectant and new parents experiencing abuse, offering therapeutic, trauma-informed care from pregnancy until the baby turns two. 

With funding from The Kering Foundation, The Hollyhock Foundation, The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust and The Rothley Trust, For Baby’s Sake works with both parents to create safer environments for children, addressing complex issues such as mental health and masculinity.

Céline Bonnaire, executive director of The Kering Foundation, added: “Over the course of our 15 years of action to end gender-based violence, we have learned that protecting and caring for children is essential in preventing violence in adulthood. 

“By supporting the expansion of For Baby’s Sake, we aim to equip more families with the skills to cultivate healthy relationships in order to break the cycle of domestic abuse.” 

The Rt Hon Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top, Hilary Armstrong, added: “I am delighted For Baby’s Sake is to work in the North East of England. 

“Their intensive therapeutic support in working with struggling families is really effective in breaking the cycle of domestic abuse and giving babies the opportunity of a good start in life. 

“These interventions mean fewer children are taken into the care system, because families are more able to cope and raise children. 

“I want to see more evidence-based work, and local and central government more committed to sticking with this early intervention for longer. 

“The cost of not doing so is evident to children and to the taxpayer.” 

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