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Why This Toolkit?

This toolkit is designed as a companion to the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Model Protocol for Working with Women Impacted by DV/SA and Substance Abuse (2004). The protocol document includes model policies and procedures offered as creative approaches or current best practice for responding to co-occurring domestic violence/sexual assault and substance abuse. The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence (ANDVSA) has also developed a basic curriculum to help advocates and providers screen for domestic violence/sexual assault, alcohol, nicotine and other drug use.

There are very few programs providing discrete services for women impacted by multiple abuse issues including domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse. Women impacted by interpersonal violence and substance abuse are often invisible when in our progams or perceived as disruptive when their substance use becomes evident or unmanageable. Many times women with co-occurring issues are missing from community programs altogether. Yet battered women and survivors of sexual assault who struggle with substance abuse and chemical dependence often need our services the most.

Every domestic violence/sexual assault program has strengths and challenges impacting our ability to provide services. Unfortunately many advocacy programs are under-equipped to address co-occurring issues impacting women’s safety and health. In order to better extend services and advocacy to battered women with separate issues of substance use, misuse or addiction we must expand our current practices and explore new strategies to address safety and support wellness.

The co-occurrence of domestic violence and substance abuse is associated with increased lethality rates and greater severity of injuries for women impacted by both these public health risks. Additionally, studies indicate domestic violence, alcohol, nicotine and other drug use are all factors associated with low birth weight and other negative health outcomes for both women and their children.

The primary goal of the support group manual is to help advocates and providers better meet the safety needs of battered women and survivors of sexual assault who are impacted by their own or another’s substance use, misuse or addiction. Ideally, this manual will serve as a guide or “first step” for providing integrated information, education and support for those addressing co-occurring issues impacting safety, sobriety and wellness.

The manual is designed to supplement existing educational materials and group tools currently utilized by advocates, health care providers and chemical dependency professionals interested in providing education and group support to women impacted by multi-abuse issues. It contains ‘user-friendly’ support group materials developed primarily to offer options and address safety for women impacted by multiple abuse issues.

Our group design is informed by evidence-based practice in addiction treatment and utilizes concepts including brief intervention and motivational enhancement. The manual also draws from promising practices in the domestic violence field rooted in the experience of formerly battered women, women in recovery and survivors of sexual assault.

In This Section

• Background

• Objectives

• Rationale for Developing the Kit
  

• Conclusion & Resources
  

Getting Safe and Sober: Real Tools You Can Use
©Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 2005

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