Healthy development in infancy relies on consistent, loving care.
Exposure to stress and trauma can significantly impair physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Experience of domestic abuse can disrupt this crucial caregiving process, increasing the likelihood of insecure attachment styles. These attachment challenges can hinder a child’s ability to form trust and build healthy relationships as they grow.
Statistics show that 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, compared to at 1 in 7 men, however there is significant underreporting in male victims.
Every year, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address gender-based violence worldwide. The campaign shines a light on the devastating impact of domestic abuse and the systemic inequalities that perpetuate it.
At the For Baby’s Sake Trust, this campaign deeply resonates with our work as we strive to break the cycle of domestic abuse and provide babies with the nurturing and secure start in life they deserve. We look at how a trauma-informed, attachment-focused, whole-family approach to address cycles of domestic abuse and trauma provides support to improve parental mental health and emotional regulation.
Research shows that 30% of domestic abuse begins during pregnancy, rising to 40% within a baby’s first 1001 days of life – a critical developmental period.
Domestic abuse during this time not only threatens the well-being of mothers but also endangers the health and development of unborn babies and infants. We take an intersectional approach, recognising and addressing the disproportionate impact on women and girls, alongside holding space for the experiences of men, boys and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Whilst abuse can affect individuals of all genders and orientations, we acknowledge in our work, the systemic and gendered nature of domestic abuse as both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality.
Understanding the impact of domestic abuse on babies and infants
Domestic abuse has far-reaching implications and affects every member of a household, including babies and young children. The earliest stages of life are a time of immense growth and vulnerability. A safe and nurturing environment is essential for healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive development for babies and infants. However, where there is domestic abuse, this foundation can be disrupted in profound ways, deeply impacting the youngest members of the family.
Exposure to abuse and stress in utero and during early infancy can impact a baby’s physical and cognitive development. Stress hormones released in response to trauma can affect brain development and functioning. There is a higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight.
How can we help babies and infants impacted by domestic abuse?
Early help and ongoing support can make a significant difference in the lives of babies and children affected by domestic abuse - this includes:
It is vital that all parents can access help and support if they are experiencing domestic abuse. We need to remove the shame and stigma, and provide safe, therapeutic services where families can seek help without fear of judgement.
Therapy can help parents and children process their experiences and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Trauma-informed care is particularly effective in addressing complex needs.
It is vital to support all parents in providing a stable, safe, and nurturing home environment. This includes giving all parents the support they need to develop healthy relationships – both with other adults and with their children, to provide trauma-informed, therapeutic support to help parents process past hurt and trauma, provide strategies that support healthy emotional regulation, and give practical advice and support to help parents create safe, secure, and loving homes.
Early years, school and education settings are vital in providing stability, support and intervention. Trained staff can identify babies, children and parents at risk of harm from domestic abuse, offer guidance, escalate concerns, and serve as role models for healthy relationships.
Relationships education in schools should also have a role in raising awareness of domestic abuse – both to encourage children and teenagers within a safe space to share concerns about what may be happening in their own homes, and to empower them to develop their own safe, happy and healthy relationships.
We need to shine a light on the disproportionate impact of domestic abuse on women and girls and help women seek and receive help for the various forms of abuse that they may be experiencing.
Through trauma-informed programmes, we can advocate for systemic change in how domestic abuse is understood and addressed. We call for whole-family, trauma-informed, intersectional approaches that help to break cycles of domestic abuse.
A whole family approach is holistic. It provides intervention for all those impacted by domestic abuse, the person using the abusive behaviour, the person experiencing the abuse, and the Unborn baby/baby and ensures that other children receive the support they need from appropriate agencies.
We can focus on the gendered nature of abuse aligns with the campaign’s broader goals of addressing gender inequality as a root cause of violence against women.
Moving forward
It is important to promote a proactive and compassionate approach to breaking the cycle of domestic abuse. We can focus on trauma-informed, whole-family, intersectional approaches that foster long-term change for healthier and more resilient families.
