Domestic Abuse

One issue which GINA is seeking to raise awareness of is the link between alcohol and domestic abuse.

What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship together, or between family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. It will affect 1 in 4 women in their lifetime and has more repeat victims than any other crime.

Alcohol and domestic abuse statistics
The 2003/04 Scottish Crime Survey reported that 65% of those who experienced domestic violence said that the perpetrator had been drinking alcohol. This relationship is further ingrained by the consequences abuse often brings, where women experiencing domestic violence are up to 15 times more likely to misuse alcohol than women generally. In fact, Women's Aid report that between 50% and 90% of women attending substance misuse services may have experienced abuse, either in childhood or adult life, or both.

Does alcohol cause the abuse?
Alcohol is not the actual cause of domestic abuse, and is never an excuse for it either. Men who abuse substances do not necessarily abuse partners, and many abusers do not misuse substances. It should not be assumed that they coexist in all cases, but there is much evidence that alcohol and drug misuse, though not the direct cause, are a major risk factor, and contributor to domestic abuse, as well as a possible consequence for the victim.

British Medical Association's Domestic Abuse report
The BMA's report recognises the links between alcohol and domestic violence to include the following:

• Alcohol use can directly affect cognitive and physical function, reducing self-control and leaving individuals less capable of negotiating a non-violent resolution to conflicts within relationships
• Excessive drinking can exacerbate, for example, financial difficulties, infidelity or childcare problems, resulting in tension building and conflict within a relationship, thus increasing the risk of abuse
• Individual and societal beliefs that alcohol causes aggression can encourage violent behaviour after drinking and alcohol consumption can be used as an excuse for violent behaviour
• Experiencing violence within a relationship can lead to alcohol consumption as a method of coping or self-medicating
• Children who witness domestic abuse are more likely to display harmful drinking patterns later in life.

Where to get help
Call the free and confidential Scottish domestic abuse helpline on 0800 027 1234 or visit GINA links for details of other organisations that can help.