Domestic Violence and Substance Misuse NECA South Tyneside

Introduction Louise Pinkney – Senior Worker (Core Services)/Counsellor

NECA Largest Regional Charity working in the area of Substance use/misuse South Tyne NECA offers: Advice and information Counselling Psychosocial interventions Support work Alternative therapies Structured day programme Group work Family/Carer support Stimulant service

Definitions Domestic Violence - threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults Substance Misuse - use of substances (such as illegal drugs, prescription medicines or alcohol) in such a way that results in harm to the individual user or the wider community.

Responsibilities Home Office Department of Health Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) Drug Action Teams (DATs)

Government Policy Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy (2004) National Alcohol Strategy (2007) Focus on domestic violence Drugs: protecting families and communities (2008)

Pan-London Policy ‘ Domestic Violence and Substance Misuse: Overlapping issues in separate services’ High number of service users with dual issues accessing services Need to be dealt with in more holistic way

Impact and Extent of the Problem Victims 15 times more likely to misuse alcohol, 9 times more likely to misuse other drugs (Women’s Aid) 10% of all current NECA clients have been victims (44% family support clients)

Impact and Extent of the Problem Perpetrators Under the influence of alcohol in 32% of incidents, 5% drugs 39% of current criminal justice alcohol clients at NECA are perpetrators

Link between Domestic Violence and Substance Misuse No direct causal link Coping strategy Increasing control over victim Victim blaming Amplify perpetrator characteristics Remain hidden – guilt, shame, denial

Risk Factors Victims less likely to assess risk Escalation of violence Others less proactive and sympathetic Prevention from accessing appointments Other risk factors – homelessness, mental health problems, physical health problems

Barriers to clients accessing services Vulnerability factors: Fear of social services Shame Expectations of not being believed Fear of prosecution Prevented from access to services Confidentiality/Safety

How NECA works with Domestic Abuse Information at referral Assessment and Care Planning Risk assessments Safety planning

How NECA works with Domestic Abuse Support to report incidents Advice on options available Counselling Referral to specialist services

Organisational Commitment Training Family Support Child Protection Training DV appointed worker Awareness of relevant services

Importance of addressing substance misuse Perpetrators Access to perpetrator programmes Victims Access to refuges Chaotic lifestyles Police and other agencies not so sympathetic to victims

Multi Agency Working Domestic Violence Forum MARAC Meetings MAPPA Meetings Liaison with specialist agencies

Conclusion There are strong links between the two areas NECA could be the first place domestic violence is disclosed Important to address the underlying complexities of both substance misuse and violent behaviour to fully support and protect families Substance misuse services are an integral part of services to address domestic violence