The Cedar Project is a therapeutic group work programme for children and young people aged 4–16 who have experienced domestic abuse. Mothers have the opportunity to attend a women's group to support their children.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse (as genderbased abuse) can be perpetrated by partners or ex-partners and can include:
-
physical abuse (assault and physical attack involving a range of behaviour)
-
sexual abuse (acts which degrade and humiliate women and are perpetrated against their will, including rape)
-
mental and emotional abuse (such as threats, verbal abuse, racial abuse, withholding money and other types of controlling behaviour such as isolation from family and friends)
Cedar provides:
-
Working with other agencies
-
Referral and Assessment
-
12 week groupwork programme run by co-ordinators and co-facilitators
-
Children and Young People's groups
-
Mother's groups
-
Safe venues
-
Confidentiality
Children's and Young person's groups
-
Allow better understand and coming to terms with experiences of domestic abuse
-
Develop safety and problem solving skills
-
Feel able to express and understand feelings
The programme runs weekly for 12 session running for around 1–1½ hours. The groups are during the school day. They take place in a safe and supportive environment, within the local community. Transport can be provided if necessary.
Mother's groups
Mothers are encouraged to attend the group.
It aims to:
-
Help mothers reflect on their children's needs
-
Enable mothers to help their children
-
Prepare mothers for issues that may arise from the children's group
-
Provide a chance for the mothers to talk about their own experiences