| Electronic Resources: | https://www.anrows.org.au/project/establishing-the-connection-interventions-linking-service-responses-for-sexual-assault-with-drug-or-alcohol-use-misuse/ |
| Web resource: | https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/establishing-the-connection-interventions-linking-service-responses-for-sexual-assault-with-drug-or-alcohol-use-abuse-key-findings-and-future-directions/ |
| Type: | Report |
| Title: | Establishing the Connection: Interventions linking service responses for sexual assault with drug or alcohol use/abuse: Key findings and future directions |
| Authors: | Stathopoulos, Mary
Jenkinson, Rebecca |
| Keywords: | Victimisation;Sexual abuse;Alcohol abuse;Drug and alcohol misuse |
| Population: | People with drug and/or alcohol issues |
| Categories: | ANROWS Publications
People with mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Publisher: | ANROWS |
| Citation: | Issue 03/2016 |
| Abstract: |
|
This paper summarises findings from the Establishing the Connection (ETC) study for a practice, research and policy audience in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) and sexual assault service (SXA) sectors.
The study aimed to improve understanding of the complex intersections between alcohol and other drug use and the severity of, or vulnerability to, sexual violence and revictimisation; and to build the capacity of the alcohol and other drug and sexual assault sectors to respond more effectively to the needs of individuals affected by sexual violence.
This Research to policy and practice paper provides a snapshot of the findings from three stages of work: a review of the literature on the pathways and intersections between alcohol and other drug use and sexual victimisation or trauma; qualitative interviews and an online survey with representatives from the two sectors; and a cross-sector consultation forum with key stakeholders in the two sectors.
The study was funded by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), and was a 12-month, Victorian-based study undertaken by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, in partnership with the Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Forum and alcohol and other drug service provider UnitingCare ReGen. The full report is available http://www.anrows.org.au/publications/horizons/establishing-the-connection
| Notes: |
|
Establishing the Connection was a Victorian-based study that aimed to examine the intersections between alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and sexual victimisation and trauma, how both support sectors currently work together, and how they can respond more effectively to the needs of those affected.
The study found that:
* Participants from both the AOD and the sexual assault sectors demonstrated a practical understanding of the interrelationship between drug and alcohol use and sexual victimisation. The overlap between sexual victimisation and alcohol and other drug use was very relevant for AOD and sexual assault counsellors and managers who were aware of the very large numbers of potentially "shared" clients.
* Current practice in the assessment and intake processes in the AOD and sexual assault sectors varies considerably and reflects both the organisational frameworks that guide practice, as well as the initiative and confidence of individuals in the sectors in referring clients to other services.
* Factors that hinder collaboration included insufficient resources; uncertainty about how the other sector works; lack of communication; and role creep, which describes the expansion of demands and activities of a job or role over time that are not balanced by additional resources to support them.
* Practitioners and managers expressed great interest in expanding their understanding of the other sector through a variety of avenues, some of which included: shared focus on client-centred care; openness to discussion and sharing information; previous interagency collaboration; and policy and governance support.
Findings from the report informed the development of practice guidelines to assist service providers with the identification, assessment, response and referral of individuals and families affected by co-occurring sexual abuse victimisation and substance use issues.
Suggested citation:
Stathopolous, M., & Jenkinson, R. (2016). Establishing the Connection: Interventions linking service responses for sexual assault with drug or alcohol use/abuse: Key findings and future directions (ANROWS Compass, 03/2016). Sydney: ANROWS.
| URI: | https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/18670 |
| Appears in Collections: | ANROWS Publications
Reports
|
Items in ANROWS library are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
