AVA and Alcohol Concern have released joint research and guidance on Domestic abuse and change resistant drinkers: preventing and reducing the harm. The guidance is based on lessons learnt from a review of Domestic Homicide Reviews where alcohol was involved. It highlights how domestic violence should be better understood and explored as a reason why individuals may not engage with alcohol treatment.
The guidance has been written for all services supporting people affected by alcohol and domestic abuse and aims to
- identify how services can improve their ability to recognise domestic violence and abuse in terms of victims and perpetrator
- ensure that those who use alcohol problematically are better supported to access support for domestic violence and abuse
- help specialist domestic violence services gain a better understanding of how to support individuals who may be using alcohol and are resistant to change
Donna Covey, Director of AVA states
“It is crucial that alcohol and domestic violence services do not work in silos but recognise how these two areas interact. The review of Domestic Violence Homicides has highlighted clear changes that services can make to ensure survivors of violence and abuse do not fall through the net because alcohol is involved. This report shows us yet again that violence and abuse is everybody’s business.”
Joanna Simons, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern states
“We have been pleased to be involved with this important project. The link between alcohol and domestic violence is significant. We believe this report will help practitioners to tackle change resistant drinkers encountered in the context of domestic violence.”
