Project
North Warwickshire Alcohol Related Domestic Abuse Project
Outcomes:
To build on the success in reducing re-offending rates by perpetrators of domestic violence.
Evaluation: Internal
Monitoring And Evaluation:
An evaluation of the pilot was undertaken in 2009. It tested the four hypotheses that were set.
Hypothesis 1: offering tailor made packages of support, practical assistance and empowerment for victims with alcohol problems, the project will enable them to remove themselves from domestic violence situations and plan for the future.
The pilot found that most victims of domestic abuse engaged for only one off advice and information sessions. Positive feedback was gained from the clients about meeting with the Alcohol and Domestic Abuse worker.
Hypothesis 2 that by engaging with perpetrators of alcohol-related domestic violence within an alcohol service will assist in the development of alternatives to custody for these people.
Information provided by North Warwickshire Police found reductions in re offending rates of the perpetrators engaged with the pilot. Clients also engaged with the service as part of Alcohol Treatment Requirements set by the court.
Hypothesis 3 that engaging perpetrators and victims of alcohol-related domestic abuse in core alcohol services will increase referral into Domestic Abuse services and contribute to reducing violent crimes and deaths as a result of alcohol-related domestic abuse.
The project received more referral of perpetrators of domestic abuse than anticipated. There was a strong retention rate and reductions in alcohol consumption and problematic alcohol use as measured via CISS (Christo Inventory for Substance-misuse Services).
Hypothesis 4 that one element of intervention may be effective across a range of presentations, that tailor made packages can be provisioned by the combination of helping modalities.
Feedback gained that following a prescriptive framework ensures that clients are not able to avoid exploration of the impact of their use of alcohol on their behaviour toward others. Clients were given session outlines at the beginning of the intervention and the quantity and quality of work indicates that it has been of value to them. The workers choose from a number of different modalities to ensure the core content of the program is delivered.
Learning:
This programme is now being offered to other commissioning bodies across North and Central England.
Swanswell’s project relies on innovative inter-agency work with other domestic abuse services to reduce the risk around alcohol and domestic abuse. Swanswell has developed good working relationships with local domestic abuse organisations in order to support referrals.
A growing number of research projects point to serious gaps in interventions for victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse who have substance misuse problems. This programme aims to fill some of these gaps.