Pause and Listen
Pause and Listen aims to provide a platform for women who no longer have children in their care, to share their stories and experiences. In each episode, we talk about an issue that affects their lives. We will be joined by women with lived experience, professionals and sector experts to discuss the issues they face, reflect on their experience, and think about how we can work together to make things better.
*Trigger warning* podcast episodes discuss issues which may cause distress to some, including domestic abuse and mental health issues.
Pause is a national charity working with women who've had - or are at risk of having - their children removed from their care.
pause.org.uk / @PauseOrg / communications@pause.org.uk
Pause and Listen
In a Mother’s Mind: Birth mothers’ experiences of domestic abuse
**trigger warning** although there is no description of physical acts of violence, this podcast episode discusses experiences and the impact of domestic abuse. Please take care when listening.
Welcome to our third season of ‘In a Mother’s Mind’! This podcast series aims to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of women who have had children removed from their care. It was created by a group of women who have completed the Pause Programme, who all have experience of having children removed from their care.
Around 1 in 5 children in the UK experience domestic abuse, often when still in the womb. This can have a profound impact on the rest of their lives, including an increased likelihood of being subject to domestic abuse or being abusive later in life. Domestic abuse is also the most common reason for children being taken into care. In this episode, we talk to Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of For Baby’s Sake, about breaking the intergenerational cycle of domestic abuse and what systemic changes need to happen in order to meet the individual needs of families. Suzanne and Vanessa – who have both completed the Pause Programme – then reflect on some of the complexities of protecting your children whilst also seeking support when being subject to domestic abuse.
If you’re experiencing – or are at risk of domestic abuse – you can call the free National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. There’s also more information and support – including a live chat – available on the Women’s Aid website.
For Baby’s Sake works with expectant parents until the time of the baby’s second birthday. Their programme takes a whole-family approach, dealing with the entire cycle and history of domestic abuse, identifying and directly addressing the trauma or traumas that lie at the heart of the problem. Find out more about their programme and referrals here.
Hosted by Helena, who has completed the Pause Programme
Also featuring Suzanne, Vanessa and Vicky, who have all completed the Pause Programme
Produced by Fi Gilligan and Karina Graham
Music by Ben Jacob
Editing by Will Jacob
To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk