Peer Support Group
CPVA
VisAble recognises how isolating living with violence and abuse from your child can be.
Our group is for people who have experienced or are experiencing Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) from their child or adult child. The term ‘parent’ refers to any person who has a caregiving or parental role.
Aim of the group
Parents experiencing CPVA sometimes feel isolated, frustrated and helpless. We recognise the importance of breaking down the stigma and creating a safe space to connect with other parents.
This CPVA Peer Support Group is a non-judgmental space to share knowledge, advice and provide an opportunity to be listened to and understood. The aim is to establish a healing space for parents experiencing CPVA and hold hope for change.
Principles/kawa of the group include:
Whanaungatanga and manaakitanga
Parent/caregiver-led discussions
Emotional, cultural and spiritual safety
Sharing helpful supports and resources
Shared understanding that everyone’s experience is different and unique to their situation and whānau.
Getting support
We know that the trauma of family violence includes loneliness and isolation.
Comment from a parent experiencing CPVA:
“I would be extremely keen to be able to attend a support group if possible. I have lived with family violence at the hands of my foster son for a few years and haven't found a single safe place to share this with people who genuinely understand our situation”.
This is what parents, caregivers and whānau are telling us, when they join the peer support group:
“Thanks for all the amazing work you do. I know it would be much easier to simply shut down. But I also know it's not really an option. Crazy what some parents endure.”
“Really lovely group. I’m sorry that I’m not interacting more but it is nice to listen and feel not alone. I am so glad to have found your support! Thank you so much for all that you do.”
“Thank you for the group. It is really helpful to me and my girl. I am feeling so much more confident that I can survive this journey without losing myself.”
Always your choice
There is never any pressure to attend our peer support group. Due to safety concerns or exhaustion, some parents/caregivers/grandparents are unable to attend our peer support group but still want to be involved through updates on what we are working on.
There is never any pressure to contribute. Some parents prefer just to listen or communicate through the online chat. We are always led by what is right and safe for the parents/caregivers and want to validate their lived experiences.
Nau mai, haere mai
Time/Day/Location
The CPVA Peer Support Group is open to parents/caregivers throughout the year.
The group is held online:
First Monday of every month at 7.00pm to 8.30pm
Either the second or third Wednesday of each month at 1.00pm to 2.00pm
A link to Zoom will be sent to your email address prior to the group
For information on how to join a zoom meeting, watch this short video
You can choose to attend either or both Peer Support Groups.
For more information, please contact: info@visable.co.nz
CPVA Resources
For professionals and parents, caregivers and whānau
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When many families are looking forward to Christmas festivities and a summer holiday, this is often a very challenging time of year for parents, caregivers and whānau experiencing Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA).
VisAble has prepared a new resource for you to share with your broader families or professionals, with tips for how they might best be able to support you at this time.
The factsheet includes advice to help you decide what’s best for yourself and your family at Christmas.
It contains two practical techniques to help you stay calm when the tension is escalating and the pressure is becoming intense.
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At our CPVA peer support group, parents/caregivers asked VisAble to write up something they could give to professionals.
Many have told us that, when they have reached out for help, they are put under pressure or coerced into attending parenting programmes. They are also told to implement behavioural modification approaches - which can increase the violence towards them.
A paradigm shift in the way organisations respond to families experiencing CPVA is needed. We have written this CPVA Guidance for professionals resource for you to give to the professionals who are working with your family and whānau.