Women, Domestic Abuse & Substance Use

Working with women experiencing domestic abuse and using substances is often challenging.  Many myths and harmful narratives exist about the relationship between substance use and domestic abuse whilst overstretched services and a lack of resources compounds the issues.

What we do know is many women experiencing domestic abuse are also experiencing trauma & exposed to high levels of physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse.  Understanding the role of substances may play as a coping mechanism for the victim/ survivor and/or a control tactic used by the perpetrator can enable services to better placed to identify risk, manage safety and support recovery when working with victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

By the end of the course, you will:
● Understand the intersections between experiences of domestic abuse and substance use.
● Understand the impacts on women, children and parenting including their views on what services would best meet their needs and support them to rebuild their lives
● Know how to ask about each of the issues in an appropriate manner
● Have greater knowledge of possible referral pathways and support services
● Understand the difficulties survivors with complex needs face in making change
● Be familiar with ways to encourage survivors to engage with services and how to
meet their needs

Facilitator: Judy Ferguson, SWA National Training Coordinator.

Judy has worked with Women’s Aid since 2011 and also worked with the Scotland SafeLives training team delivering the DA Matters Training Programme to 14,000 Police Scotland staff.  Judy regularly provides training and consultancy to a wide range of multi agency statutory and voluntary bodies including the COPFS, Police Scotland, Social Work, Law Society Scotland, Criminal Justice Workers, Heath, Housing and Violence Against Women & Girls Partnerships etc.  Judy has a wealth of experience informing her practice and a burning passion for working to end domestic abuse and violence against women in all its forms.

We can also offer tailor made, bespoke support with training needs analysis, training, policies and procedures and implementing new legislation. We are happy to build a package specifically relevant to your organisation and the needs of your team, building on the work of our domestic abuse specialist trainers across the country.

We are happy to deliver both virtually and face to face, and can accommodate any number of learners. Our training and inputs are fully interactive, engaging and will support your team with practical application of their learning journey with us.

Please contact judy.ferguson@womensaid.scot Scottish Women’s Aid’s National Training Co-ordinator to discuss your requirements.