The impacts of living with parental substance use and domestic violence

1. Jo Sharpen The impacts of living with parental substance use and domestic violence

2. AVA • Previously GLDVP • 2nd Tier national charity working to end all forms of violence against women and girls • 2 key projects – the Stella project and the CYP project Aims • To challenge, enable, encourage and support all agencies and communities to contribute to achieving our vision of a world free from violence against women and girls. • To offer a range of high quality and expert services to facilitate specialist and generic agencies to contribute towards our vision. • To identify and fill gaps in the field, find innovative solutions to current and emerging situations and inspire an effective strategic approach to reducing and preventing violence against women and girls. Key Beliefs • Violence against women and girls is not inevitable and can be prevented • Gender inequality is both a cause and consequence of violence against women and girls www.avaproject.org.uk

3. Over the next seven days, in this country alone: • 30,000 women will experience domestic violence and two of them will be murdered. • A further 15,000 will be sexually assaulted. • A further 2,000 will be raped. • Around 75 women will be trafficked into the UK • Around 56 women will be forced into a marriage. • Still more will experience sexual harassment, FGM

5. Child line – 44% of children who called about a significant others alcohol misuse had primarily called to talk about the physical abuse they suffered • 1 in 11 children living with parent who has problems with drinking

6. Links between DV and alcohol • Links are controversial / multi-layered and under researched • Dv more likely when a partner has a problem with substances • Studies have found that the perpetrators use of alcohol, - likely to result in more serious injury to partners than if they had been sober (but victims still face abuse when perp is sober). • High no's of people attending substance use and/or dv services have children • No simple causal explanation • Substance use is neither an excuse nor an explanation for dv • Key to dv = pattern of coercive control

7. Similarities between parental alcohol use and domestic violence • Social isolation • Emotional neglect and abuse • Behavioural change • Developmental delay • Damage to foetus • Psychological problems • Inconsistent parental care • Overly punitive discipline • Child feels fearful and responsible • Disrupted routine • Low self esteem • Conflicting loyalties • Difficulties in later relationships

10. Impact of alcohol-related DV on children • Vulnerability of unborn children (from alcohol and dv – physical and psychological) • Complex coping mechanisms • Some children appear to be more resilient than others • Impact on parenting capacity • Use of resources to finance dependency • Gradual understanding of the problem • Children's roles – common one = acting as carers • Alcohol – children often link this to violence and increased absence from home • Common theme of unpredictability • Parental subs use not always seen as the main issue for children, they often see mental health issues and violence as more concerning • PTSD

11. It is extremely hard to tell which feeling predominates in this image. Clearly there is anger but sadness is also present in large measure, and perhaps surprise?

12. Key messages • Women who experience domestic violence and/or use substances are rarely bad parents • Focus should be on how non-abusive parent is able to meet the needs of the child when using substances • Children’s services are an integral part of any response • Staff need to be confident at reporting concerns around child protection

13. Recommendations for policy and practice • Understanding links is essential skill set for supporting children exp substance use and/or dv Work has to prioritise safety of women and children rather than substance use goals • PARTNERSHIP WORKING is key • Training Swaps/Inter-agency visits • E-Groups and forums • Conferences/Seminars • Policies need to be clear that reducing subs use does not always = reduction in dv • Need for respite for children • Routine screening for dv in subs use services and vice versa

14. Practice • Children are not a homogenous group • Don’t assume that siblings will have same experiences • Addressing subs use does not = addressing dv • Clear message to parents about impact of their subs use while making it clear that they are not to blame for perp's behaviour • Be aware of the complex situations such as child to parent abuse which may arise • Multi-agency approach to risk assessment/info sharing/referral protocols • Remember that risk is not static • Recognise risks post separation and during contact

15. Practitioners can help children to: • Maintain positive routines • Engage with stable adults • Receive early intervention • Disengage with disruptive elements of family life • Disclose safely (be aware of their fears around this) • Ensure mothers have access to support

16. Police CPS Civil Solicitor Courts Benefits Agency Substance Misuse Employer Women’s Aid Refuge Women’s Safety Worker Health Housing Social Services CDRP LCJB CDRP CYSP Police CPS PPO Probation Courts Prison Perpetrator Programme Family Support Employer Substance Misuse Housing Health Independent Domestic Violence Advisors Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference Local Safeguarding Children Boards Social Services Education Schools CAMHS Health Women's Aid Voluntary Sector Housing Police Probation Courts CJS Community Friends DV coordinator and Forum Perpetrator Individual Family Child Immediate Network CAFCASS Voluntary Sector Youth Offending Team Educational Welfare Child Protection Agencies Educational Psychology Neighbours Primary Agency Contact Agency Risk Assessments Safety Planning Process Social Services Child Care Coordinated Community Response to DV

17. Resources • Solace specialist provision • Nia specialist refuge • Stella toolkit and training • AVA community groups • www.ccrm.org.uk