NCJ Number
156601
Date Published
1992
Length
83 pages
Annotation
This manual was developed to assist alcohol-abuse and drug- abuse counselors and battered women's advocates in the implementation of services for battered women who abuse drugs and alcohol.
Abstract
The Chemical Health Project of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women was established to provide for the safety of battered women with chemical health issues, to educate chemical health providers about battering, and to educate staff of battered women's programs about chemical use. This manual is part of this effort. A chapter provides information on the dynamics and patterns of battering, including how battered women survive, barriers to escape and survival, and battering as the expression of a need to exert power and control over the abused party. Another chapter focuses on how to improve chemical health services for battered women. Topics discussed include links between chemical health and battering, barriers to successful treatment, guidelines for counselors, legal options, the provision of culturally sensitive services, and an anti-racism continuum for organizations. Ways to improve services to women whose partners are in treatment are discussed in another chapter. The discussion focuses on steps for helping women whose partners are in chemical dependency treatment as well as suggestions for working with batterers. Remaining chapters address advocacy for battered women when alcohol and drugs are involved, as well as surviving and making choices. The chapter on advocacy considers advocacy for women, suggestions for battered women's programs, advocacy for change within treatment programs, and support for women in treatment. A 29-item bibliography and 34 suggested readings