Domestic violence

LDAN Domestic Violence project

LDAN was funded by London Councils to deliver a four-year Domestic Violence project with a focus on the development of a cross-sectoral network and the regular hosting of peer support meetings. The project, which ran from October 2009-March 2013, supported organisations to achieve an overall reduction in the impact and occurrence of domestic violence, abuse and repeat victimisation. The project worked with agencies who deliver services to survivors as well as perpetrators of domestic violence. LDAN is committed to increasing public awareness of the impact of perpetrator programmes and the unacceptability of violent behaviour and domestic abuse.

Domestic Violence Network Events:

Latest events:

End of project event March 2013

The final network meeting of the LDAN Domestic Violence project took place on 26th March 2013 at the Resource Centre, Holloway Road. The meeting, which went ahead under the title of ‘Where next?’, was chaired by DrugScope’s Chief Executive, Martin Barnes. Dr Gail Gilchrist of the University of Greenwich gave a detailed presentation that asked ‘should we address intimate partner violence in substance misuse treatment?’; Dr Nicola Singleton, former Director of Policy and Research at the UK Drug Policy Commission, and Shannon Harvey of the Stella Project presented emerging findings from a forthcoming DrugScope/AVA (Against Violence and Abuse) research report on sex workers’ experiences of drug and alcohol services; Anna Page of St Mungo’s spoke about their ‘Rebuilding shattered lives’ project; and Davina James-Hanman of AVA presented on the new London Councils-funded, pan-London violence against women programme that has recently got underway. Marcus Roberts, DrugScope’s Director of Policy and Membership, closed the meeting by pointing to future LDAN/DrugScope work in this area, including the final report of the Domestic Violence project, which is available here, and DrugScope and AVA’s research report, which is due to be published in Summer 2013.

Dual Diagnosis & Domestic Violence September 2012

The latest LDAN Domestic Violence Forum was held on the 10th September at the Criminal Justice Centre in Vauxhall with dual-diagnosis and domestic violence as the theme. Presentations came from Marcus Roberts, DrugScope’s Director of Policy and Membership, who provided a policy overview of the issues, Jennifer Holly of Against Violence and Abuse, who looked domestic violence survivors and dual diagnosis, and Colin Fitzgerald of Respect, who looked at perpetrators with dual diagnosis. These followed general updates on the new London Councils priorities from Maxine Quintyne-Kolaru, and Annette Ashley provided an update from the Women’s Resource Centre.

Domestic abuse and drug/alcohol use in LGBT communities July 2012

This meeting of the LDAN Domestic Violence Network considered the experience of domestic abuse and substance problems in LGBT communities, with a particular focus on access to services. Cat Everett, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Caseworker at Galop, identified and discussed key issues in working with LGBT victims of abuse. Wendy Wilde, Client Service Manager at Broken Rainbow, discussed their work, including campaigns to challenge stereo-types and encourage people to come forward for help, and the experience of running an LGBT domestic violence phone line. David Stuart, Antidote’s Education, Training and Outreach Manager, talked about patterns of substance misuse, highlighting more problematic use of ‘Club Drugs’, including methamphetamine, GHB and mephedone.