For Baby’s Sake, a charity dedicated to assisting pregnant women and new mothers experiencing domestic violence, has made significant strides in the past decade. As of today, the nonprofit has helped more than 2,000 families. In fact, just a few months ago it opened its first branch into the North East of England. Situated in Darlington, this new facility will help to increase its capacity and influence throughout the upstate.
In FBS’s most recent fiscal year, they supported 215 families, underscoring the increasing demand for their work. Today, the charity cares for 20 families throughout Sunderland, Durham, and Northumberland. The organization’s unique approach focuses on providing therapeutic support to families during pregnancy and continues until the child’s second birthday.
Formerly a high-flying City banker, businessman Stelio Stefanou started For Baby’s Sake in south-east England. The company has since grown, adding branches in Blackpool, London and most recently the east of England. The charity’s mission is clear: to transform the life chances of entire families by working intensively with both parents over a two-year period.
Judith Rees, a spokesperson for For Baby’s Sake, says the time is now for their mission. “We know that 30% of domestic abuse starts in pregnancy,” she stated. Rees highlighted the impact of domestic violence on children: “If the baby is born into that household where there is domestic abuse, that impacts their social and emotional development, their physical development.”
The charity found that most of the families they were being referred to by local authorities had already been supported by children’s social care. In reality, 96% of these incidents were before birth or in the first year. This support disappears quickly after, falling to a mere 38% by the end of June. As tragic as this statistic is, it underscores the need for For Baby’s Sake’s services now more than ever. The Government has committed to ending all rates of VAWG within the next 10 years, including domestic abuse.
“You’re not going to be a better person, you’re not going to be better for your kids,” he said. He emphasized the importance of breaking free from cycles of abuse: “You could always say no, but then what are you achieving? You can break it if you want. Just smash through it. It’s difficult work but it’s simple if that’s what you absolutely desire to do.”
As For Baby’s Sake grows in reach and impact, it remains committed to providing continuous, essential support to high-risk families that need it most. By equipping and engaging both moms and dads, the nonprofit aims to make lasting change. It provides thoughtful, long-term therapeutic support while transforming the lives of survivors of domestic violence.
