Transcript The Nia Project Specialist substance misuse refuge, Jodie

Specialist service provisionSubstance 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.
• 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….
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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