The Harmony Project was funded by the Alcohol
Education Research Council
Domestic Violence and
Alcohol
The role alcohol plays in domestic violence is different for
perpetrators and victims. Perpetrators tend to drink before an
attack, research shows that up to 30% of men who assault their
partners do so under the influence of alcohol and levels of
violence can increase significantly when the perpetrator has been
drinking. Victims tend to drink afterwards as self-medication to
cope with the pain, fear, isolation, shame, denial and low
self-esteem (similar psychosocial issues to alcohol misuse). In
addition social isolation caused by drinking can result in
increased dependence of her partner and any attempts at sobriety
may be viewed as threatening by the controlling partner. Children
affected by domestic violence and alcohol stand a greater chance of
experiencing neglect and can suffer serious long-term damage
leading to a tendency towards increased risk taking behaviour.
The Harmony Project aims to increase safe choices for families
experiencing alcohol related domestic violence by increasing
awareness and developing the knowledge and skills of existing
alcohol and domestic violence initiatives in order to improve
practise. By identifying gaps in provision it is hoped to develop
an innovative multi-agency training model to practitioners enabling
them to provide holistic individual outreach/group work for victims
and their families.
Domestic Violence &
Alcohol: The Facts
- Domestic Violence accounts for ¼ of violent crime in
Suffolk and affects one in four families across all demographic,
social and economic backgrounds, regardless of sexual orientation,
ethnicity or age. If left unchallenged it can increase in
severity/frequency and may lead to homicide.
- Alcohol does not cause domestic violence and is no excuse for
violent behaviour.
- Nationally, up to 30% of men who assault their partners
do so when under the influence of alcohol. 32% of victims of
domestic violence said that their attacker had been drinking. In
Suffolk between April 2006 and March 2007, 43% of reported
incidents of domestic violence were alcohol related.
- Women who experience domestic violence and who also abuse
alcohol are often likely to do so as a consequence of their
abuse. One study found that violent partners drank more during
violence but women drank more after the violent incident.
- Young people who experience domestic violence and abuse where
alcohol is a factor face additional barriers to reaching their full
potential and may adopt increased risk taking behaviour. Children
were present in 44% of reported incidents of domestic violence in
Suffolk between April 2006 and March 2007.
- Women in violent situations may turn to alcohol as a form of
self-medication and relief from the pain, fear, isolation, guilt,
shame and low self esteem that are associated with the
violence.
- There are many similarities between the two client groups
including denial of the problem, reluctance to seek help for fear
of negative consequences (for example children being removed) and
difficulty in making decisions or making decisions that may not
appear logical to others.
- Isolation caused by drinking can result in increased dependence
on the abusive partner and any attempts at sobriety may be
threatening to the controlling partner and increase risk.
- Women who misuse alcohol are often excluded from services. For
instance refuges often find it difficult to support women with
alcohol problems. This results in a group of women who are
particularly vulnerable to long-term experiences of domestic
violence and possibly homelessness as they have fewer options of
where to go to find help, support or safety.
- Both victims and abusers presenting at alcohol services are not
routinely screened for domestic violence, thus the problem is not
addressed holistically and the root cause of the problem remains
unchanged.
Information sessions on the Harmony Project and the integrated
approach are available to organisations working with victims or
perpetrators of domestic violence & abuse and alcohol
misuse agencies. All agencies hosting a session will receive a
free Harmony Toolkit, an innovative, comprehensive
guidance document aimed at practitioners in both sectors.
For further information or
to book an information session contact Julia Dessaur on: 01473
782744 or email:
julia.dessaur@suffolk.pnn.police.uk