Safety first? The impact of domestic abuse on women's treatment experience

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an exploratory study designed to investigate what is known about women's experiences of domestic abuse and their impact on treatment outcomes.Aims: To explore whether domestic abuse has an impact on women's access to treatment, retention, relapse, or increase in their substance use.Design: A literature review and key informant interviews.Participants: Thirteen key informants were drawn from a range of agencies working with women using alcohol or drugs in England.Measurement: The empirical research was read using set criteria including: type of treatment setting, single or mixed gender treatment, number in the sample, methods used, and key findings. The key themes were then extracted from the literature. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic coding.Findings: Practice‐based evidence suggests women's engagement with and retention in treatment is negatively affected by domestic abuse. Literature‐based evidence is equivocal and limited in scope, quality and quantity.Conclusions: While further research is required to substantiate the practice‐based evidence, it appears that treatment service providers are failing to recognize and address the issue of domestic abuse among their service users, leaving women and their children at risk.