This is the first edition of the Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Drugs Toolkit.

The toolkit has been compiled and funded by seven countywide community safety partnerships with the help of the Joint Commissioning Unit (JCU).

This toolkit is to be used by front line practitioners working in the domestic violence, drugs and alcohol fields.

It provides basic but vital information on domestic violence, drugs and alcohol.  It also contains a useful countywide service directory.

It is important that the toolkit is not used by practitioners as a training manual - only as a learning aid and point of reference.

To download the toolkit click on the link below:

Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Drugs Toolkit (PDF 1mb)

Domestic Violence

Over two women per week are killed by current or ex-partners, and that one in four women in the UK will experience domestic violence in their lifetime? The vast majority of the victims of domestic violence are women and children, and women are also considerably more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of violence, and sexual abuse. Women may experience domestic violence regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, age, sexuality, disability or lifestyle. Domestic abuse can also occur in a range of relationships including heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships, and extended families.

What about male victims of domestic violence?

While both men and women may experience incidents of inter-personal violence, women are considerably more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of violence. 32% of women who had ever experienced domestic violence did so four or five (or more) times, compared with 11% of the (smaller number) of men who had ever experienced domestic violence; and women constituted 89% of all those who had experienced 4 or more incidents of domestic violence. (Walby and Allen, 2004)

For information and support services exist to respond to the needs of women and children. However, we recognise that controlling and abusive behaviour can also occur in male gay relationships and by women against men.

Women’s Aid and Refuge

0808 2000 247 Free phone 24 hr National Domestic Violence Helpline Run in partnership between Women’s Aid & Refuge.

Staffordshire Women's Aid Outreach, floating support, drop-in, advice:

Telephone: 01785 607828 
www.womensaid.org.uk

Opening Times: Mon- Fri 9am- 5pm

Helpline:
Telephone: 0870 270 0123
Opening Times: 24hr

Refuge - Asian Women's Project Burton-on-Trent
run a national helpline, refuges, psychological support, independent legal advocacy and services for minority ethnic women and children.

Telephone: 01332 200027 
Website: www.refuge.org.uk  
Opening Times: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Stonham- Kiaura Refuge and floating support
Telephone: 01283 569598
Email: kiaura@homegroup.org.uk  
Opening Times: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

IDVA:Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
Telephone: 07710710516
Email: neelam.thakor@homegroup.org.uk  
Opening Times: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

SARAC - working with men and women age 13 and over affected by rape, sexual and/or domestic abuse'
Telephone: 01283 517185 Mon-Fri
Email: staff@sarac.org.uk  

Karma Nirvana: Supporting all victims of honour based abuse and forced marriage
Telephone: 0800 5999 247
Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk  Opening Times: 24 hours

RESPECT: Respect Phoneline - Men's Advice Line
Telephone: 020 70221801
Website: www.respect.uk.net