specialist service provision- substance use and violence against women the nia project, jodie...
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Specialist service provision-Substance Use and Violence
Against WomenThe nia project,
Jodie Woodward
The nia project
• Formerly known as Hackney Women’s Aid; a charitable organisation.
• Part of Women’s Aid Federation.
• Provides a range of support services for women & children experiencing physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
• Feminist organisation
Why was the service needed?
• Women experiencing domestic violence are 15 times more likely to use alcohol ( Women’s Aid 2004)
• Women experiencing domestic violence are 9 times more likely to use drugs. (Women’s Aid 2004)
• Women who are using substances problematically face even greater barriers to accessing services
• Traditionally refuges will not accept a woman who is using drugs or alcohol.
How are substance used in abusive relationships?
• Perpetrator the supplier of substances therefore form of control
• Perpetrator using partners money to buy substances, or forcing them into criminal activity to fund substance use.
• Forcing a partner to use drugs or alcohol• Using substances as a way to justify the
violence ( i.e. “I was so drunk I would never hurt you sober”)
What is it that we do?
• Six bed refuge ,24 hour 7 days a week
• Open to full capacity from October 2008
• London councils and supporting people funded
• 3 full time members of staff
• 1 part time family support worker
• 1 part time outreach worker
What we do….
• Non-judgemental perspective.
• Harm-minimisation, we do not expect clients to commit to being abstinent.
• We do expect a commitment to engage in the service
• All staff have experience and training in both violence against women and substance use
What we do continued….
• Weekly key work sessions
• Weekly group work sessions
• Safety Planning
• Work closely with local drug and alcohol agencies
• Work holistically; support with substance use, issues relating to violence experienced, health and housing.
Referrals
• Women only
• Fleeing any form of violence against women, we include prostitution in this.
• Must have a current substance use support need.
• Any borough outside of Haringey (including outside of London)
• Advertised on refuges online
Move on
• Approximately 9 month move on policy
• Make homelessness applications in chosen borough
• Becoming increasingly difficult
• Would like to see second stage accommodation
• Offer up to six months resettlement support
Challenges
• Appropriate move on accommodation• Prejudicial attitudes• When receiving referrals women often feel
unable to disclose drug use for fear of being rejected by the service
• Being recognised as a legitimate substance use service
• Advertising referrals as services still so separate
Outreach
• Part time outreach worker who can provide ( to specific boroughs)
• Consultancy
• Awareness raising sessions
• Networking sessions
• Training
• Group Work
Outreach Boroughs
Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Kensington & Chelsea, Waltham Forest, Westminster
Contact us…
• Jodie Woodward for anything related to the refuge provision [email protected]
• 0795856244
• Annie Howell for Outreach service [email protected]
• 0207 6831270 ext 227