Domestic violence

Domestic Violence

Introduction

Alcohol and drugs do not cause domestic violence. They do not delete our understanding of right and wrong.
However, where violence exists, alcohol, and to a lesser extent drugs, are often present.

There are two key roles that alcohol plays in domestic violence:

• one is in the perpetration of such violence
• one is the victim’s use of alcohol.

Research shows that almost half of domestic violence victims suffer violence from a partner who has been drinking and about one fifth report violence from someone under the influence of drugs (Flood-Page and Taylor 2003).
Other research that focuses on perpetrator characteristics found much higher figures (Gilchrist et al. 2003). Sometimes perpetrators blame their substance use for their violent and abusive behaviour. It is important to challenge, not collude with this view.

Victims of domestic violence often use substances to cope with adult or child abuse.

Victims with problem alcohol or drug use are likely to increase their use as a means of coping with their violent or abusive experiences.

This is particularly important to remember when working with someone who may need, or already be receiving, help for substance problems.

Substance use by domestic violence victims has also been linked with increased victimisation as their substance use will make them more vulnerable to, and less able to minimise or avoid, their perpetrators abusive actions.

NB. Many women do not approach alcohol, drug or domestic violence services for fear of their children being removed by social services.