FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

24 and can access alcohol and other drug (AOD), mental health, health and family violence services. And this requires greater integration between these services and training across sectors,’ she said. Ms Foster says this heightened level of family violence and alcohol-fuelled harm will last long after the pandemic is under control, which is why it’s so important to improve referral pathways between health and specialist family violence services at this time. ‘Many women experiencing violence are presenting at AOD, mental health and other health services and they need to be consistently linked in with specialist family violence supports in order for them to achieve safety,’ Ms Foster said. Key insights in family violence and alcohol during COVID-19  A total of 53 frontline women’s specialist domestic and family violence workers from 27 family and domestic violence services in New South Wales (NSW) were surveyed between 4 and 8 May 2020.  Nearly half (47 per cent) of the respondents reported an increase in their case load since COVID-19 restrictions began, 38 per cent reported no increase or decrease and 15 per cent reported a decrease.  The most common reason for a reported increase in case load was demand from new clients (56 per cent), followed by demand from existing clients (20 per cent).  Around half (51 per cent) reported that there has been an increase in the involvement of alcohol in family violence situations since the COVID-19 restrictions were introduced, while 40 per cent said alcohol’s involvement had not changed and none of the respondents reported decreased involvement.  Current issues with alcohol use and family violence identified included:  increased alcohol use because of changed circumstances  alcohol use increasing verbal and physical abuse  alcohol adding to financial strain on the family. Have you considered leaving a bequest to FDS? Leaving a gift in your will can provide the financial support that we require to continue the worthwhile work of our charity. Your bequest will assist FDS in continuing its valuable support of families struggling with the trauma of a loved one’s drug or alcohol use. By pledging your support now, you will have the pleasure of knowing that you have made a gift to others struggling with these issues. Please call FDS to discuss your bequest. Phone: (02) 4782 9222 – Email: admin@fds.ngo.org.au – Website: www.fds.org.au