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Specialist service provision- Substance Use and Violence Against Women

Specialist service provision- Substance Use and Violence Against Women. The nia project, Jodie Woodward. The nia project . Formerly known as Hackney Women’s Aid; a charitable organisation. Part of Women’s Aid Federation.

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Specialist service provision- Substance Use and Violence Against Women

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  1. Specialist service provision-Substance Use and Violence Against Women The nia project, Jodie Woodward

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. 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”)

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Part time outreach worker who can provide ( to specific boroughs) Consultancy Awareness raising sessions Networking sessions Training Group Work Outreach

  12. Outreach Boroughs Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Kensington & Chelsea, Waltham Forest, Westminster

  13. Contact us… • Jodie Woodward for anything related to the refuge provision JWoodward@niaproject.plus.com • 0795856244 • Annie Howell for Outreach service ahowell@niaproject.plus.com • 0207 6831270 ext 227

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