Domestic Violence news: Stella Project release new report and policy bank

The Stella project, the specialist London GLDVP project addressing drug and alcohol related domestic violence, have released several new reports and initiatives to support commissioners, DAATs and practitioners in improving service development.

A online Policy Bank has been set up to include strategies, reports and other resources that address the dual issues of substance use and domestic violence.

The new report Innovative responses: new pathways to address domestic violence and substance misuse across London has been written to highlight innovative and integrated joint working practice.  It raises key learning points including:

• Specific actions that are measurable and monitored should be attached to any strategic commitments on the dual issues, to ensure the efficacy of the strategy and to achieve changes in service delivery and practice
• Regular communication and strong working relations between statutory leads for domestic violence and substance misuse are a key factor for success in this work
• Evidencing need is crucial for attracting and sustaining funding for development work
• The precarious nature of funding can slow down the impetus to develop innovative pieces of work. This is reinforced when work is reliant on one lead person
• Attempts to address alcohol use without addressing the underlying dynamics inherent to domestic violence will not be sufficient to promote the safety of survivors and their children
• The Stella Project recommends that such pilots initiate staff training on how to work with men who are abusive and identify clear referral pathways into appropriate services. Good practice would engage with partners to promote their safety and to measure the effectiveness of interventions

Hard copies of the report can be obtained from info@gldvp.org.uk