An investigation of the knowledge of intimate partner violence among clinical staff working with male substance misusers
ISSN: 1757-0972
Article publication date: 23 July 2019
Issue publication date: 23 July 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a Service Improvement Project aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of intimate partner violence (IPV) of clinical staff working in Community Drug and Alcohol Services (CDAS) in four boroughs of South London.
Design/methodology/approach
Clinical staff (n=90) completed a survey which was based on the Capability Framework (Hughes et al., 2015), developed to describe the key capabilities required to work with men who misuse drug and alcohol and perpetrate IPV. Two separate surveys were prepared for clinical (core) staff (n=76) and for manager (senior) staff (n=14).
Findings
The Capability Framework provided a useful structure for identifying key strengths and gaps in knowledge and skills related to substance use and IPV treatment in frontline CDAS staff. Significant strengths which emerged in the “core staff” survey related to the importance of assessing IPV and being empathic. Gaps related to the confidence in working with these issues and receiving support. Significant strengths which emerged in the “senior staff” survey related to the availability of supervision, information and training on IPV. Gaps related to using the Capability Framework and discussing IPV in supervision.
Originality/value
Findings have important implications for the development of training addressing gaps in current knowledge and skills required when working with IPV in the context of drug and alcohol misuse.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests. The Capability Framework was developed by the editorial team of this journal, among other authors.
Citation
Falcone, M.A. and Meynen, T. (2019), "An investigation of the knowledge of intimate partner violence among clinical staff working with male substance misusers", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 105-116. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-02-2019-0001
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited