Men & Masculintites Programme Domestic Violence and Substance Use Maria Cripps & Phil Price

Domestic violence DV is widely defined as the systematic use of violence and abuse to gain power over and to control a partner or ex-partner. Domestic violence occurs across all cultures, ages, ethnic groups and social classes. As well as covering physical violence – including all forms of aggressive or unwanted physical contact and sexual violence – domestic violence includes non- physical abuse such as verbal, social, racist, psychological or emotional abuse, threats, neglect, harassment and the use of economic, structural, institutional or spiritual abuse.

Prevalence of domestic violence Domestic violence accounted for quarter of all crimes against the person in England and Wales. (2001 British Crime Survey England and Wales, London: Home Office) and for over half of all incidents attended by the RUC in 2001 (police service statistics RUC, Northern Ireland, 2001). Every year around 150 people (120 women – nearly half of all female murder victims - and 30 men – around 8% of all male murder victims) are killed by a current or former partner. (Flood-Page, C. & Taylor,J. (eds) Crime in England and Wales 2001/2002, London ; Home Office, 2003).

Prevalence of Substance Use in DV incidents Estimates indicate that between 60 – 70% of men who assault their partners do so under the influence of substances 1 Over half of the women using a domestic violence service reported substance use as a dual issue for (ex) partners 2 BCS described over half of domestic violence incidents as having a Substance as a factor 3 1 – the links between substance misuse and domestic violence – John Jacobs – – Separate Services – Dual Issues - Cathy Humphries et al – – British Crime Survey

Domestic Violence is about power and control

Power and Control DV is connected to deeply ingrained beliefs and a sense of ‘entitlement’ to authority and service. It is about avoiding underlying (& unacceptable) emotions of vulnerability that are uncomfortable It is a selective amount of violence towards a selected victim in a selected environment It is not a ‘loss of control’

The power and control model of an abusive relationship

Elements of domestic violence perpetrator programmes Increase awareness of physiological, mental and emotional signs of build up to violence. Develop critical awareness of attitudes and beliefs that support use of violence. Increase empathy for victims Increase awareness of effects of domestic violence upon children Widen definition of abuse, set it in context of power and control Teach and practice alternative behaviour.

Aims of the partnership For DVIP, Cranston and CASA services to work in partnership to develop and deliver a programme for heterosexual male perpetrators of domestic violence with complex drug and alcohol problems To use borough screening tools alongside DVIP’s domestic violence assessment model, to map an accurate ‘self disclosed’ picture of the violence and abuse perpetrated across this service user group, then analyse the extent of substance use problems, use of services and the impact of substance use treatment in relation to the use of violence. For a specialist assessment model, 16 week groupwork programme and partner support service to be designed and implemented.

Assessment outcomes Over three months in 2011: 11 men were identified as suitable for referral out of a stabilized treatment population of approximately 20 during that period 10 were assessed against standard domestic violence assessment tools 10 disclosed major poly substance use issues; 4 disclosed primary alcohol problems; 10 disclosed chaotic stimulant use (cocaine and crack cocaine); 4 disclosed primary opiate use; All but 2 stated they were currently abstinent; None were on a substitute prescribing regime for opiate use; 4 were using prescribed anti-depressants; One was using prescribed Antabuse; 7 of the men had children under the age of 18 (a total of 16 children between them); the other 3 men were fathers of adult offspring.

Assessment outcomes Physical violence disclosed Pinching Pushing (against a wall, to the floor) Grabbing Slapping Spitting Biting Hitting with an object Pulling hair Kicking Punching (to body or face) Bodily throwing Headbutting Grabbing throat Pinning to the bed Beating unconscious Assaulting during pregnancy Non-physical violence disclosed Insulting Shouting, screaming, yelling Criticising her clothes Criticising her childcare Sulking Threatening to leave Threatening to take the children Threatening to harm himself Controlling finances Storming out Isolating her Accusing her of affairs Reckless driving Interrupting her sleep Blaming her for problems Having affairs

Assessment outcomes Sexual violence 6 men disclosed some level of sexual abuse; 3 men limited their disclosure to the withholding of sex and / or affection; 2 men disclosed verbally pressuring their partners for sex on at least one occasion; 1 man disclosed biting his partner’s face during sex although he claimed this was consensual. Forensic history 5 of the 10 men assessed had previous convictions that were directly related to domestic violence; 3 of these also had other violent and /or drug related convictions; 2 other men had non-violent convictions (drug and driving related); the other 3 men either had no convictions or no information was available or disclosed in this respect.

Programme outline The programme set out to prioritise the physical abuse, power and control and motivation / strengths and CBT led aspects of a perpetrator programme We of course covered aspects of the impact on partners and children, although the length of the pilot meant that this was limited We did not cover sexual respect beyond just identifying the behaviours We did cover some of the emotional abuse aspects of the programme But, over time decided to leave the most ‘stressing’ role play and re- enactment aspects of a perpetrator programme

Timelines / moving forwards Time-line exercises really showed how entrenched IPV was in this groups substance use history The P&C model also really matched the mens experience of themselves in their relationships The programme – supported in the project as a whole – held the men it set out to challenge

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