OUR WORK & HOW WE HELP DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVORS

Druglink are a substance misuse charity based in Hertfordshire. Our objective is to change the future for people who are, or could be, affected by substance misuse. 

We educate people on substances and their effects in order to drive prevention and stop issues relating to substance misuse happening in the future. For those already affected by substance misuse, we provide detox, recovery and housing services which support clients (and their family and friends) on their journey. Once in recovery we help people develop skills and confidence to enable them to find work experience and follow the path of reintegration back to a community.

Alongside our residential detox and rehab, we have specialist services where we work with vulnerable client groups to help them find safe and secure housing, to rebuild their lives and work through their recovery. One of these is our domestic abuse (DA) service. The women who come to our service are domestic abuse survivors who are struggling with substance misuse as a result of their trauma. We provide the space and support they need to help them overcome their past, find the root cause of their trouble and re-establish a life free of suffering, working along an addiciton recovery journey.

OUR PROJECT VISION 

We want to 'Empower Her' by providing financial assistance to domestic abuse survivors. Financial abuse is a common tactic used by abusers to gain power and control and to keep a survivor trapped in an abusive relationship. Providing financial stability to our DA survivors requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and long-term stability. Here is how we hope to help:

1. Direct Financial Assistance

• Establish emergency funds to cover immediate needs such as clothing, food, transportation and medical expenses.
• Rental assistance - partner with landlords and housing associations to create more opportunities for long-tem, affordable housing.

2. Financial Literacy and Counselling

• Financial education - offer workshops on budgeting, saving, and managing money. Financial literacy can empower women to make informed decisions about their finances.
• Debt counselling - providing access to financial counsellors who can help women address and manage debt, understand credit and plan for future financial stability.

3. Employment and Education

• Job training - help clients find vocational training programmes tailored to their needs, partner with local businesses to create job opportunities and provide ongoing support.
• Education grants - provide financial aid for educational programs helping survivors gain the skills needed to find employment.

4. Community and Corporate Partnerships 

• Engage local businesses - encourage local businesses to support women through job opportunities and mentorship programmes.
• Corporate sponsorships - partner with corporations to sponsor housing units or fund vocational training programmes.

By combining immediate financial assistance with long-term support strategies, we can create a sustainable framework that 'Empowers Her', helping women fleeing domestic abuse and battling substance misuse to achieve financial stability and rebuild their lives.

PLEASE HELP US 'EMPOWER HER' BY SUPPORTING OUR PROJECT.

SOME FACTS BEHIND THE PROJECT

• The police receive a domestic abuse-related call every 30 seconds.
• It is estimated that less than 24% of domestic abuse crime is reported to the police.
• 1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime.
• On average, 2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales.
• It takes, on average, 7 attempts before a woman is able to leave for good.
• Women who experience domestic abuse are twice as likely to experience depression, and 40% of homeless women state domestic abuse as a contributory factor to their homelessness.
• It is estimated that around 3 women a week die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse.