Reducing the impact of intimate partner violence and substance use on women’s health.

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) have significantly higher rates of substance use and mental health concerns, and these mental health and substance use issues can often develop in response to IPV. Women often need a dual approach that responds to IPV and SU together as they access anti-violence and substance use services. However, such integrated approaches are rare.

In the Strong Women project, the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health (CEWH) has addressed this by creating and testing an intervention for use in services across Canada to support women who have experienced both IPV and substance use. The intervention includes a workbook and a social support group for women who have experienced IPV, alcohol and/or tobacco use and related concerns. We have co-developed the workbook, curriculum, and facilitator’s guide for a 8- session virtual group for women who have experienced both issues. It highlights the linkages between IPV, trauma and substance use, and has the aim to encourage change, provide social support, and foster mental and physical health.

This figure describes the structure of the intervention. The elements appear in a circular diagram. The inner most circle includes the title of the intervention, Strong Women, with 4 quadrants: Safety (upper left), Recovery (upper right), Social Support (lower left), and Self-Compassion (lower right). The next circle includes 6 sections. From upper left, clockwise: Connecting with Self, Connecting with Others, Connecting with Emotions, Connecting with our Bodies, Connecting with Community, and Connecting with Purpose. The outer most circle includes "Supportive Systems and Environments".
This figure describes the structure of the intervention.

What is our approach?

We have developed and tested the Strong Women intervention after reviewing the evidence, surveying and training service providers, co- developing materials and testing them in 6 sites. The Strong Women Workbook is now available for download in English and French from the links below.  We are keen to work with community-based agencies interested in offering the virtual support group, and invite organizations to contact us at the email below for ordering the Facilitators Guide.

Principles Informing the Strong Women Intervention:
  • Gender informed
  • Trauma informed
  • Harm reducing
  • Equity oriented
  • Culturally safe
  • Empowering

Who are we working with?

We are very grateful for the collaboration of the following organizations in the pilot and testing phases:

Key Resources:

  • Examining Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use: Results from a Scoping Review – English or French
  • Information sheet about the Strong Women program for women – English or French
  • Information sheet about the Strong Women program for service providers – English or French
  • Strong Women Social Support Group Workbook  – English or French
  • Strong Women Social Support Group Facilitator’s Guide – Please connect with us at research@cewh.ca to receive a link to download the Facilitator’s Guide and curriculum slides
  • View a webinar about the Strong Women program available from our webinar recordings page

 

CEWH acknowledges the financial support of the Public Health Agency of Canada