• Our project work
  • Embrace
    • Why Embrace?
    • The evidence
    • Myths and realities
    • Where to get help
    • Useful links
    • Publications
  • HubCAPP
  • SMART project
  • Youth policy
  • Alcohol Concern Cymru
• Campaigning
• AC in parliament
• Events
• Annual conference
• Our members

Myths and realities

Many myths surround domestic abuse and particularly the complex relationship between alcohol and domestic abuse.  Below, Dr Sarah Galvani exposes some of the most common myths.

Myth: Alcohol misuse causes domestic abuse
Reality: The relationship between alcohol and domestic abuse is complex, but:

• No evidence of a direct causal link
• Not all problem drinkers are abusive or violent towards their partners
• Perpetrators use violence and abuse both with and without alcohol
• However, alcohol consumption can increase the frequency and seriousness of injury 

Myth: Women who use alcohol deserve or could provoke violence from their partner
Reality: Women often use alcohol as a coping mechanism

• In a recent study 97% of domestic abuse survivors said they used alcohol to numb the physical and psychological pain of the abuse
• The stigma, shame and secrecy associated with domestic abuse increases the likelihood that women will turn to substances
• Use of alcohol, may, however, increase a person's vulnerability to suffering abuse 

Myth: Abusers lose control when drunk and are therefore not fully responsible for their actions
Reality:

• Domestic abuse is a pattern of controlling behaviours through which the perpetrator seeks power and control over the victim
• Even when perpetrators are drunk they carefully select who they are abusive to and often target specific areas of the body, which indicates that they do in fact have control over their actions

Myth: Alcohol treatment for perpetrators will end the abuse
Reality:

• Reducing alcohol use may reduce the levels and severity of physical injury but there is no evidence to suggest it reduces the actual occurrence of domestic abuse
• Treatment for alcohol problems may be a time of high risk for domestic abuse: the discomfort of physiological or psychological withdrawal is likely to heighten a perpetrator's anxieties and irritability

Myth: Men and women are equally affected by domestic abuse
Reality:

• Domestic abuse is not a gender neutral issue. According to the 2006/07 British Crime Survey the vast majority of domestic abuse incidents (77%) were suffered by women
• Among people subject to four or more incidents of domestic abuse from the perpetrator of the worst incident, 89% were women
• Partner violence against women is also more likely to result in injury18
• Two women are killed each week in England and Wales by a former or current partner

Myth: Domestic abuse stops once the relationship ends
Reality:

• Women are at a higher risk of violence and of being killed after leaving violent partners
• A review of domestic abuse murders in London found that 76% occurred after the victim had ended the relationship

(These are based on presentations given by Dr Sarah Galvani, Research Fellow, University of Bedfordshire)