WAVE Trust

The WAVE Trust is an international organisation dedicated to reducing child abuseand interpersonal violence through understanding its root causes. WAVE's massive and extensive research has identified the crucial nature of children's experience from conception to age 3, and the central role of empathy and attunement as antidotes to the development of violent personalities.^[1]

WAVE capture their finding in report on the root causes of child abuse and the critical value of warm, nurturing, loving parenting in the initial years of a child's life.

Overall, WAVE aims to educate and inform policy-makers, promoting the adoption of long-term, effective and economically viable solutions.

Background

The WAVE Trust (WAVE is an acronym for Worldwide Alternatives to ViolencE) was founded by George Hoskins CNOZ in 1996. It was founded in an internet chat room in April 1996 when the first 6 people - a Scotsman, 2 Canadians and 3 Americans – began to discuss how to create a world without violence.

George had already learned that society’s apathy about the plight of children grew out of a harsh political reality: child maltreatment did not rank in the top 20 issues which determined how the electorate voted. Violence, however, was consistently the second to top of these issues. Since the two problems are inextricably linked, with 30-40% of people who are abused when young going on to develop violent behaviour, and the majority of violent offenders in prisons having been abused or neglected or (often) both as children, Worldwide Alternatives to ViolencE (rather than Child Abuse or Maltreatment) was born, and the programme of research into causes and best practices for dealing with the problem was set in motion. George’s business partner (Ita Walsh) agreed to put her research and writing skills at WAVE’s disposal.

Having existed for three years as a not-for-profit organisation, in April 1999 WAVE registered as an international educational charity.

In 2005 WAVE produced its first major report, Violence and what to do about it,setting out the results of the first 9 years of research into the root causes of violent behaviour and child maltreatment and global best practice in addressing these.

What does WAVE Trust stand for?

The WAVE Trust philosophy is that preventing child abuse is the key to reducing violence in society.

Although there are many causes of violence, WAVE has identified child abuse or neglect as a fundamental contributor to antisocial, aggressive or violent behaviour. This is because:

• Patterns of behaviour are adopted very early on in life. Many children who are abused or neglected learn that the world is cruel place and act accordingly.

• Antisocial behaviour is difficult to change - once adopted, this character trait is strong and often leads to adult violence.

• This pattern of violence is then repeated within the family as the antisocial / aggressive adult raises their own child.

WAVE undertakes extensive research to identify and promote effective prevention programmes.

Our strategies involve:

• Identifying the root causes of child abuse and violence.

• Finding the most effective methods known to address these root causes.

• Promoting the adoption of these proven methods.

• Project Managing the implementation of these methods within local communities.

WAVE's Fo Key Recommendations

• No child should leave school without receiving fundamental training in how to "attune" with babies and to parent in a non-violent manner. An example of this type of programme is provided by Roots of Empathy - www.rootsofempathy.org

• During a first pregnancy, every mother- and father-to-be should receive supportive coaching on how to "attune" with babies, how to ensure the child's successful emotional development and how to parent in a non-violent manner. An example of this type of support is offered by the programme First Steps in Parenting (details from the programme developer Dr Mel Parr, by e-mailing WAVE at office@wavetrust.org)

• Babies in "at risk" families should be monitored during the first three years, with their parents receiving regular visits by specially trained Health Visitors who provide practical encouragement and support. An example of what could be provided can be seen via the Nurse Family Partnership - www.nursefamilypartnership.org

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in violent individuals should be recognised, and steps taken to heal it in children and adults entering the legal and prison systems. Extract from the WAVE Report 2005

THE WAVE REPORT 2005 - Violence and what to do about it

Introduced by Sir Christopher Ball

This is an important and timely report. What it tells us about an epidemic of violence in society today is deeply depressing and sad - and yet the Report also offers a message of hope for a better future. The rising tide of violence in the UK, and elsewhere, is neither inevitable nor universal. Violence is a preventable disease. While it is one that is difficult to cure, prevention is relatively simple. Children who are loved well in infancy do not become violent teenagers or adults. Violence and what to do about it offers specific solutions designed to foster parental attunement to the needs of children, and the development of empathy in children towards the feelings of others.

WAVE's research shows that the recommended interventions make a real and beneficial difference. A society that ignores such findings must be bent on self-destruction. The social costs of violence are some £20 billion a year - and countless damaged lives. This is a social evil that demands attention. This Report says what needs to be done, and who should do it. Read it, reflect on it, and join us in calling for effective action - now.

Sir Christopher Ball is a former Chairman of WAVE Trust and author of Start Right: the Importance of Early Learning (RSA, 1994).^[2]

References

External links

• The WAVE Trust website - please note that this is in the process of being given a substantial overhaul and improvement
• PDF of The WAVE Report 2005
• Child Psychotherapy Trust provides information on children's emotional development, behaviour and relationships from birth to adulthood
• Child Abuse Prevention Network is the Internet Nerve Center for professionals in the field of child abuse and neglect
• Children's Defense Fund Their mission is to Leave No Child Behind® and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities
• Committee for Children is a leader in social and emotional learning and violence prevention
• Some Things You Should Know About the Effects of Violence on Children original source of the document in the Preventing Violence section of this site
• [http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB4010/ RAND report on the prevention of youth violence: this report suggests that some approaches to preventing criminal careers look promising enough to warrant more extensive demonstration
• PITT mother and child project is an ongoing longitudinal study of child development. This site offers the opportunity to learn more about the results of their study