about cedar

Cedar (Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery) is a group work model inspired by, and adapted from, an innovative Canadian model for children who have experienced domestic abuse. The model is based on core principles that recognise that domestic abuse is damaging to children as well as to the mother/child relationship, and on the belief that mothers are best placed to support their children in their recovery.

Children and young people attend group with peers around the same age, while mums attend group with other women who have experienced domestic abuse and wish to support their children in their recovery.

The groups provide an opportunity to explore feelings with an emphasis on providing fun and creative activities that keep children engaged and interacting with each other. It is about creating a safe place for children and their mothers to help each other to find the best strategies to deal with their experiences and rebuild their lives. The main aim of the programme is to help mothers to support their children in their recovery.

We understand more now about domestic abuse and its effects on us and our children. We learned that it wasn’t our fault.