Families, Domestic Violence and Substance Use

1. Families, Domestic Violence and Substance Use Learning from research

2. Background • Up to 350,000 children affected by drug use, up to 1.3 million children affected by alcohol use (government estimates) • A minimum 1.5 million family members affected by someone else’s substance use (UKDPC, 2009) • Up to 8 million family members affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use(Velleman & Templeton 2007) • 44% perpetrators under the influence of alcohol, 12% drugs (BCS Review) • Alcohol thought to be a factor in at least one third of all domestic violence assaults (Finney 2004)

3. Background • Women experiencing DV are 15 times more likely to misuse alcohol, 9 times for drugs (Barron 2004) • 1 in 4 children said that they had witnessed DV between adult family members. 47% of incidents involved physical assaults, 13% with an object or weapon (NSPCC survey 2007) • Children witness ¾ of abusive incidents (Royal College Psych. 2004) • Based on a large volume of research, child care law now includes witnessing or hearing the ill treatment of someone else as causing harm to children

4. Impact of living with domestic violence • School or work: absence / lower achievement / difficulty concentrating. • Behaviour: withdrawn or depressed / aggressive or angry. • Physical health: missed appointments, failure to thrive or weight loss, stress-related illnesses, physical injury, self-harm, substance use, low birth weight. • Cognitive development: speech and language delays, academic attainment. • Mental and emotional health: PTSD, depression, anxiety, bed-wetting, nightmares, constant worry about possible danger / safety of family members, isolation or loneliness, low self-esteem. • Finances: Financial abuse / theft, poverty through loss of income. • Common feelings: Guilt, self-blame, fear, shame, stigma, worry, anger, betrayal, denial, torn loyalties or a confusing range of emotions.

5. DV - protective factors • An end to the abuse – with safety being a reality • Personal resources and capacity for resilience • Social competence • Positive routines • Protective and supportive network outside the family • Open communication about the issues, and opportunities to rebuild family relationships • Positive relationships with non-abusive family members • Counselling / group work with peers who understand • The perpetrator accepting responsibility

6. Stage One - Research Supporting families affected by substance use and domestic violence • Dr. Sarah Galvani • University of Bedfordshire • Group 1 – Children and Young People • Group 2 – Family member facilitators

7. Common themes Children and young people’s focus groups • Consent and Choice • Impact of drugs or alcohol on relationships • Substance user as perpetrator • Age differences • e.g. controlling behaviours • types of “hurt” • Things that make me feel better • Substance use treatment and relationships

8. Common themes Family member facilitator interviews • Child to parent abuse • High tolerance levels of abuse • Financial, emotional and psychological abuse • Less physical violence / Less disclosed? • Less partner abuse / Less disclosed? • Referrals to DV agencies mainly for partners • Varied use of screening or assessment – client-led services • Varied responses to disclosure – from good to bad practice • Need more info and training on DV, and also DV/SU

9. Key competencies for front-line practitioners • Safety Safe Working practices, especially if working with couples. Safety planning do’s and don’ts - and basic risk assessment Psychological safety – recognising trauma • Knowledge of issues and key messages Domestic violence, behaviours and indicators Substance use and domestic violence – myths and facts • Asking the right questions Not just at screening stage Practice asking in a natural and sensitive way Think Family – Children? Vulnerable adults? • What to do with the answers Personal reaction and responding appropriately Agency response and referral to specialist agencies

10. Stage Two - Resources to come • DVD and facilitators pack made by and for children and young people will be ready in March 2011. • About substance use, domestic violence, relationships, and keeping safe. • Made by 5 groups affected by parental substance use and/or domestic violence, across the country, produced by “Real Time” media charity - www.real-time.org.uk

11. Resources for practitioners • Stella Project - Toolkit and training courses – www.avaproject.org.uk • DOH toolkit – Improving safety, Reducing harm: Children, young people and domestic violence • Women’s Aid – www.womensaid.org.uk • Eddie Gallagher (Teen to Parent Abuse) - www.eddiegallagher.id.au • Alcohol Concern’s Embrace Project publications - www.alcoholconcern.co.uk • Adfam – “We count too” - “Including Diverse Families” “Setting up a family support group” • STARS www.starsnationalinitiative.org.uk

12. Resources for families • Rory workbook • GLDVP/AVA – “Spiralling” DVD, for young people. • The Hideout – www.thehideout.org.uk • STARS national initiative – web list of resources for practitioners to use with children and young people + new DVD resource launching soon • Adfam – “Journeys” series, “Living with domestic abuse and substance use” • Women’s Aid – free posters, leaflets & “the chatterbox” • NSPCC “Feel Safe at Home” free booklet, “What if” game. • “How to help your mates” – GLDVP/AVA leaflet • FRANK – “Do your children know more about drugs than you?” • Nottinghamshire DV Forum - www.respectnotfear.co.uk

13. Stay in touch! Natalie Pallier Project Co-ordinator DV, Substance Use and Families Project n.pallier@adfam.org.uk 020 7553 7646