NCJ Number
205274
Date Published
2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report presents key findings from published British and international research on the relationship between alcohol and intimate partner violence.
Abstract
The British Crime Survey, through which representative samples of the population report on their criminal victimization experiences, indicated that 32 percent of reported incidents of intimate partner violence were committed when the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol. Offender-only drinking was common in incidents of intimate partner violence, and victim-only drinking was rare. Studies have found that alcohol abuse is common among perpetrators of intimate partner violence, and "problem" drinking predicts intimate partner violence over time. Heavy drinkers have been found to be at increased risk for victimization in intimate partner violence. Many women develop alcohol problems following victimization. Overall, research findings indicate that alcohol abuse is likely to contribute to intimate partner violence in a variety of ways. These include cultural factors, which relate to how alcohol and its link to violence are understood in society; "person" factors, which relate to individuals' response to, expectations of, and beliefs about alcohol; pharmacological factors, which relate to the psycho-pharmacological properties of alcohol; and "context" factors, which relate to the physical and social circumstances in which alcohol is consumed. Research recommendations pertain to the characteristics of offenders and victims for whom alcohol is a factor in intimate partner violence; the role of alcohol in any other types of assault perpetrated by those who commit intimate partner violence; the types of intimate partner violence in which alcohol abuse is involved; the levels of drinking associated with intimate partner violence; and whether alcohol problems that develop in the course of chronic intimate partner violence affect the patterns and nature of the violence. 28 references