KASP & Cedar working together
Some members of the KASP team have completed training with the CEDAR project to provide support to groups of mothers and children affected by domestic abuse. At present, KASP’s work focuses exclusively on supporting mothers.
This is a project close to KASPS’s heart as many of our survivors have experienced domestic abuse. Many survivors often ask, “why do abusive patterns keep repeating, to experience childhood sexual abuse and then get stuck in a domestic abusive relationship?”. Survivors often misplace the blame and put the blame on themselves.
The truth behind this is that when people experience trauma and ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) they are more prone to having problems with attachment and relationships. Research shows that traumatic experiences in childhood have an impact on brain development, nervous system responses, self-esteem, self-worth, attachment style and relationship patterns.
Children who learn that love and harm can be shown together may struggle to recognise healthy relationships later in life. survivors often internalise blame and shame often feeling they do not deserve safety, respect, or happiness. These early experiences shape a child’s core beliefs about themselves often resulting in adults tolerating disrespect, feeling unworthy of care, mistaking control or intensity for love and missing early warning signs of abuse.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, not everyone who experiences domestic abuse has past trauma or ACEs.
“Why does everyone hurt me? Why can’t I escape the cycle?”
“Do I have a big sticker on my head saying, hurt me?”
“What is wrong with me that it keeps happening?”
“The group helped me come to terms with what happened.”
“My child and I are closer”
“I am more confident”
CEDAR is fife wide and offers a warm, welcoming therapeutic environment for mums and children. It is a 12-week program that works with children and young people aged from 4 to 16 years, and their mothers. There is also EYDAR (Early Years Domestic Abuse Recovery) for mothers with children 0 to 4 years. EYDAR is an 8 week program.
Women and children must be out of the abusive situation and children need to have a memory of the abuse to join the program.
There are 2 groups that run alongside each other, mums are in one group and children in the other. The focus being on mothers and children growing, learning and recovering together.
CEDAR helps mum and child understand their experience and helps them find ways to process their domestic abuse. CEDAR helps children develop emotions and find a way to express them; it is a space for them to talk.
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018
Domestic abuse isn’t just physical. It can happen in many ways.
The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 began on 1 April 2019. Abuse now includes violent, physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse.
The offence can carry maximum of 14 years.
Domestic abuse can include:
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being threatened
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name calling
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controlling what you do, where you go and who you speak to
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threatening your children
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not being allowed see your friends and family
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accusing you of cheating
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threatening to out your sexual orientation
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sharing – or threatening to share – intimate images of you with family, friends or work colleagues
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being hit, kicked, punched, or have objects thrown at you
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rape, being forced into sexual acts.
CEDAR take referrals by telephone or by post.
Tel: 01592 583676.
Post: Brunton House High Street Cowdenbeath Fife KY4 9QU
If you feel like this is something you would like more information on, please follow the link below.
CEDAR Plus Leaflet for Mothers
Although CEDAR offers support to women who have experienced domestic abuse, KASP also support men who have experienced domestic abuse. This is through MARAC and all referrals to KASP come through MARAC.
What is MARAC?
Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference – MARAC
If you are a male and are affected by domestic abuse, MARAC is there to support you and other members of your family. MARAC will also work to make you all safer.
Our Male MARAC Support Service | KASP | Kirkcaldy | Fife
You are not alone, there is support out there, if anything resonates with you, please follow the links and make contact.