Alcohol Related Violence

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The direct result of alcohol related violence causes 1 in 8 deaths of Australians,

under the age of 25[Australian National Council on Drugs]

The Facts [2, 3, 4]

AlcoholRelatedViolence

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79% of 18 to 25 year old males charged with assault on a Friday or Saturday night consumed alcohol in the past 48 hours

20% of Australian’s are drinking at levels that put themselves in risk of injury and/or disease

1 in 4 Australians have been victim of alcohol related verbal-abuse

1 in 5 Australians 18-19 years old have been subject to violent physical abuse by someone who is intoxicated

1 in 7 Australians aged 20-29 have been subject to violent physical abuse by someone who is intoxicated

Almost 2/3 of 19-29 year olds drink to “get drunk”

The consequence alcohol related violence has on individuals and the community is damaging and extensive. The increasingly tragic incidents of alcohol related violence and “king-hits” has sparked an important discussion on how we can prevent and protect our future generations and ourselves. The damage caused by alcohol related violence is categorized into three related factors: health, social and economic.

What is the damage to our community?

Health

1 Physical injury; a direct result of alcohol related violence

2 Consequential emotional harm e.g. depression, anxiety and sleep disorders

3 Suicide can be a consequence of being victim to alcohol related violence. This is particularly relevant to individuals who experience alcohol related interpersonal violence

4 Approximately 7% of individuals with alcohol dependence die through suicide[5]

Self-defence training contributes to the anti-violence movement by increasing safety and empowering people to recognise, prevent and interrupt violence [1]

Characteristics of alcohol related violenceThe Australian Institute of Criminology established certain individual and situational factors that can help the public predict these incidents potentially before they occur. To be able to protect yourself in situations of danger it is firstly important to be aware of the key characteristics that point to the occurrence of this type of incidents.

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Social

1 Victims of alcohol related violence commonly experience damage to their social relationships.

2 The ability to be productive in work or school environments can decrease.

3 Children who witness alcohol related violence or are subject to alcohol related violence have a decreased level of attention in school and are more likely to develop behavioural problems [6]

Economic

1 The direct costs related to healthcare systems and judicial systems.

2 The indirect costs related to school and work absenteeism, and the loss of productivity.

Predictive Factors [1, 2]

1 Alcohol related violence commonly occurs during 9pm and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights

2 Seasonal changes have shown to influence the number of reported alcohol related incidents

3 Individuals who are young, single and male are more likely to report alcohol related victimisation and violence

4 Males are more likely to fall victim to alcohol related violence when are they are in social circumstances outside of the home environment

5 Females are more likely to fall victim to alcohol related violence in their own home environment

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Combatting alcohol related violence in Australia

Societal Level

The Live Safe Mission

Live Safe aims to work with individuals, organisations and government entities to spread awareness about alcohol related violence, prevent alcohol related incidents and teach all Australians how to protect themselves if they encounter situations of danger.

The societal level requires changing attitudes and cultural norms regarding alcohol consumption and violence. The Live Safe Education Program educates students about the health, social and economic consequences of alcohol related violence. The Live Safe program initiates social change through increasing individual self-regulation, self and situational awareness and self-protection.

School based level

Research has consistently shown that young people are more likely to experience alcohol related violence as victims and as perpetrators. Educating Australia’s youth about the consequences of alcohol-related violence is key to initiating change and reducing alcohol related incidents. It has been established that working in collaboration with other students, mentors and teachers, youth become more engaged, aware, confident and able to protect themselves in situations involving risk and danger. Adolescence is a pivotal point in development and therefore it is the prime opportunity to change attitudes and encourage safe judgment in situations that involve alcohol and violence.

Individual Level

For societal change to occur it must start with individuals. Self-defence training increases self-awareness, empathy, self-discipline and self-protection. It is vital that individuals have the ability to protect themselves and help others in the situations that involve violence.

References[1] Thompson, M. E. (2014). Empowering Self-Defense Training, Violence Against Women, 20(3), 351-359

[2] Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, December 2009, Anthony Morgan and Amanda McAtamney

[3] Canberra: Australian National Council on Drugs Report, 2013

[4] Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, May, 2011, Josh Sweeney and Jason Payne

[5] Pompili, M., Serafini, G., Innamorati, M., Dominici, G., Ferracuti, S., Kotzalidis, G. D., Giulia, S., Giradi, P., Janiri, L., Tatarelli, R., Sher, L., & Lester, D. (2010). Suicidal Behaviour and Alcohol Abuse, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 7(4), 1392-1431

[6] World Health Organisation, Interpersonal Violence and Alcohol, 2006