Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Want to help us make the 70/30 motion mentioned in this article the most popular in Parliament for 2021/22? See the bottom of this article for further details on how you can help!

 

WAVE Trust and the overwhelming popularity of its 70/30 Initiative to reduce child maltreatment by 70% by 2030 have been praised in a recent Parliamentary debate on early years practice.

In the 'Giving Every Baby the Best Start in Life' debate on 9th November 2021, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Prevention of Childhood Trauma (which WAVE acts as Secretariat to) Wera Hobhouse MP highlighted how more than 515 MPs have supported the campaign's pledge.

Wera also raised how a motion of hers that acknowledges how over two-thirds of MPs have endorsed our 70/30 Initiative and calls on the Government to adopt a comprehensive early years’ strategy to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) has since been signed by 12 MPs.

WAVE would like to thank Wera for her support not only in this debate, but throughout our work together on the APPG for the Prevention of Childhood Trauma.

 

'Breaking the cycle of trauma'

The following is a lengthy excerpt from Wera's speech during this debate:

 

"I will speak briefly as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for the prevention of childhood trauma. Preventing adverse childhood experiences from occurring is vital, particularly in those first 1,001 days. Within the APPG, we are working to improve understanding of adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma, how to heal them, and ultimately how to prevent them. It is about breaking that cycle of trauma, which can so often pass from a parent to their child.

"Those who experience childhood trauma are two times more likely to develop depression and three times more likely to develop anxiety disorders. Adults who reported four or more adverse childhood experiences had a four to twelvefold increase in alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide attempts, compared with adults who experienced none of those. Recently, the APPG heard from Josh MacAlister, the chair of the independent review of children’s social care, which produced “The Case for Change”. He made the critical point that we have children in care who become parents, and they often pass their childhood trauma to that next generation of children unless it is treated and recognised. One of the most important things on which I campaign as a Member of Parliament is preventing childhood trauma, recognising trauma in those who experience it later in life and making all our services trauma-informed.

"I pay tribute to the WAVE—Worldwide Alternatives to Violence—trust, which does excellent work alongside the APPG. Its 70/30 campaign needs no introduction because it has just reached 500 supporters in the House—an incredible milestone. The campaign aims to reduce child abuse, neglect and other adverse childhood experiences by at least 70% by 2030. Professor Sir Harry Burns, a former chief medical officer, said that: “reducing child maltreatment by 70%...is the minimum acceptable outcome in responding to this unacceptable—and profoundly costly—harm to our youngest children.”

"We have all heard in various forms about how important it is to get to childhood trauma. The Government can do much to achieve that, but they must start by increasing early years funding, by appointing a senior Minister for families and the best start in life and by prioritising prevention in the early years.

"Earlier this year, I tabled an early-day motion on giving every child the best start in life, which calls on the Government to adopt a comprehensive early years strategy to prevent harm to children before it happens. It has now been signed by 100 Members from across the House. I grateful to all of those who have put their name to it and hope that many more will join them.

"I have just two questions for the Minister. Given the overwhelming support for the 70/30 campaign and my EDM, will she give her public support to the campaign today? Will she also commit to meeting the APPG so that we can discuss a way forward and end childhood trauma once and for all? Let us start now to ensure that every family has the full support needed to give their child the best start in life. That would be to all our benefit."

You can read the full debate here.

 

Ask your MP to support this Early Day Motion

We would encourage all supporters of the 70/30 Campaign to reach out to your MP if they have not yet signed it and encourage them to do so*.

• Tweet your MP
• Download this template email

 

Want to help us grow support in Parliament?

If you would you like to help make 70/30 a reality, then please get in touch with our team today.

CLICK HERE

 

*We would advise not doing so for MPs who are Ministers or Shadow Cabinet members, as they do not ordinarily sign EDMs.