ADVANCE programme – substance use and IPV

We are excited to share the findings from our evaluation of the ADVANCE integrated perpetrator intervention for men in substance use treatment  

This event will be opened by Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales. You are invited to attend this event which will be held at the Science Gallery, near London Bridge (https://london.sciencegallery.com/) on Thursday 30 June from 3-4.30pm, followed by a drinks reception till 6.30pm. Details will follow after registration. We hope you are able to join us, to discuss the findings and the next steps for the ADVANCE intervention.

As part of a programme of research funded by the NIHR https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/advance, researchers from King’s College London, the Universities of Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester and York, and RESPECT developed and tested a 14-week group intervention, the ADVANCE intervention, to reduce abusive behaviour towards a female partner by men in substance use treatment. Despite the higher prevalence of abuse among this group, men who use substances are rarely referred to perpetrator programmes and when they are they often drop out early. Our research has highlighted the complex relationship between substance use and abusive behaviour including intoxication, withdrawal and craving, and financial abuse. Delivering targeted integrated perpetrator programmes to men in substance use treatment will increase their reach, promote positive relationships and improve the wellbeing of survivors. During the pandemic, we adapted and tested the ADVANCE group intervention for digital delivery (ADVANCE-D) over 32 sessions which includes video group sessions, online practice sessions with a digital coach and individual coaching sessions with a group facilitator. The ADVANCE intervention also provides parallel support for current or ex female partners.

Please register for this free event here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/advance-dissemination-tickets-350451197967 If you are not able to attend but could do remotely please email gail.gilchrist@kcl.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Gilchrist et al have published a paper last month focusing on pathways leading to substance using related IPA perpetration towards women by men who were recruited from substance use treatment settings.

Abstract
Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a pervasive public health and human rights issue disproportionately affecting women. There is
a complex link between IPA and substance use; substance use can increase both the frequency and severity of IPA. Pathway
models have been applied to explore heterogeneous trajectories into other behaviours and to identify areas for intervention.
This approach has not previously been applied in the area of substance use and IPA. Inductive thematic analysis of 37 interviews
with heterosexual men aged 28–52 who had reported previous IPA perpetration was conducted. Men were recruited
from alcohol and drug services across two areas of England. Three groupings of pathways into substance use-related IPA
were generated: 1) Rule Breaking Pathway (n = 11); 2) Entrenched Substance Use Pathway (n = 13); and 3) Relationship
Insecurity Pathway (n = 13). Across the three groupings of pathways, the men’s childhood and early experiences led to different
journeys into SU-related IPA (abuse that was associated with intoxication, withdrawal, acquisition and substance use
lifestyle). Each pathway presented differently with varying core features, for example core features of generalised violence,
mental health or jealousy, and different predisposing background factors, including types and timing of childhood abuse and
trauma. Adopting a pathways approach drawing on principles of equifinality and multifinality can improve understanding of
heterogeneity in men who perpetrate IPA and use substances and propose treatment/intervention targets.

You can access the article for free here.