WOMEN ' S SUPPORT
SAFE HAVEN
Many women using substances do so to cope with trauma, often the result of sexual abuse or partner violence. To mark Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, Rachael Clegg explores the barriers they face – and what we can do about them
According to King’ s College London, up to 83 per cent of people who experience partner abuse do not report it to the police. Rape Crisis UK figures evidence a similarly bleak picture, stating that five in six women who are raped don’ t report it.
There are myriad reasons as to why women may be fearful in reporting cases of sexual abuse. Indeed, Rape Crisis UK data suggests that 24 per cent thought the police wouldn’ t believe them, 39 per cent thought the police wouldn’ t be able to help, and 35 per cent thought it would be too embarrassing. It’ s no wonder, then, that women living with the ongoing trauma of abuse often self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to cope – creating even more barriers to support.
We know, for example, that women who are also mothers fear having their children removed if they seek help and disclose their abuse and drug or alcohol problems. We also know that only 26 per cent of refuges report that they‘ always’ or‘ often’ accept women who use
alcohol or other drugs, meaning that many already traumatised women are likely to be left out in the cold at best – or at worst stuck living with their abuser. If women feel unable to report their experiences and their need for support, they remain in danger. Indeed, the pervading societal stigma, particularly relating to women who use alcohol and drugs to cope, will also inhibit women from self-referring to services.
We know that around 65 per cent of women entering our residential rehabs also report experiencing domestic abuse, demonstrating a clear overlap with and drug and alcohol use. If women are self-medicating to cope with ongoing trauma why would they want to add to that trauma by not being believed, a terribly lengthy and personal court case, or being turned away because of their coping strategy?
Collectively, we need to reassure women – both in our communications and in our policies and approaches – that in taking that positive step and seeking help, they will not be penalised. We need to proactively get this message out there to encourage help-seeking – and we need to stand by it. We need them to be able to trust us.
At our Phoenix Futures women-only service, Ophelia House, and our National Specialist Family Service in Sheffield, we offer a therapeutic community and traumaresponsive care. And because we know that many women accessing our services have experienced domestic / sexual abuse, we also provide specialist, accredited programmes to support recovery and help women to process their traumatic experiences in a safe environment.
As part of what we do we have also supported women in reporting perpetrators to the police, as well as assisting them in relocation where required. We have been there with them, every step of the way. But finding their way to us would be so much easier if they felt more able to contact emergency services as soon as they feel they’ re in danger – and if emergency services were more able to refer them directly onto the appropriate pathways.
As a sector, we need to collaboratively and proactively speak out about the support
Women need reassurance – both in communications and in policies and approaches – that in taking that positive step and seeking help, they will not be penalised.
available, and educate people – including first responders – on the reasons behind harmful drug and alcohol use and its links to trauma. We also need to ensure the pathways are clear and that the approach isn’ t about punishment – but about healing and recovery.
So many women will be suffering in silence due to fear and stigma – we have the power to do something about that. And in 2026 we should join together to make this a priority.
Rachael Clegg is organisational lead for women and families at Phoenix Futures
We can work with you to develop those vital pathways to rehab – email me on rachael. clegg @ phoenixfutures. org. uk to arrange a meeting or a visit to Ophelia House or our National Specialist Family service.
Mary Long / iStock
22 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • FEBRUARY 2026 WWW. DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS. COM