On 16 September, a pivotal webinar took place, shedding light on the critical intersection between alcohol consumption and gendered violence. The discussion, enriched by the insights of esteemed panelists, delved into how alcohol exacerbates violence and highlighted the urgent need for targeted interventions.

The Panelists

• Kym Valentine, Survivor Advocate
• Dr Ingrid Wilson, Researcher on alcohol-related intimate partner violence
• Nicole Hewlett, Palawa woman and researcher
• Professor Michael Salter, Criminology Expert

Alcohol’s Role in Intensifying Violence

The webinar underscored a stark reality: alcohol significantly amplifies violence. Dr Ingrid Wilson presented her research, illustrating the chilling progression of male aggression linked to alcohol consumption. She noted, “Women described, with quite chilling precision, how their partner might start drinking, he’d be fun and loving at the start of the drinking cycle, and then become increasingly aggressive and targeted towards her, the more intoxicated he became.”

Statistics reveal the gravity of the issue, with alcohol implicated in 23% to 65% of police-reported family violence cases. In 2021-22, nearly half of the women who were sexually assaulted reported that alcohol or other substances contributed to their most recent incident.

Voices of Survivors and the Unheard

Kym Valentine highlighted the often-overlooked voices of children in these violent scenarios. She recounted the harrowing experiences of children who, devoid of choice or voice, suffer silently amidst the chaos. Valentine stressed the necessity for immediate governmental actions to protect women and children within their homes.

Community-led Healing Approaches

Nicole Hewlett emphasised the vital role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in spearheading healing-informed approaches. She advocated for family-centric healing to effectively curb violence, noting the success of community-led initiatives.

The Call for Policy Change

Despite the lived experiences of survivors, effective measures addressing alcohol’s role in violence have been notably absent. Professor Michael Salter highlighted the gender blindness in current alcohol regulations and policies, stating that such oversight is detrimental to women and children. The discussion called for a reevaluation of existing policies to reflect the gendered nature of alcohol-related harm and ensure comprehensive protection for vulnerable groups.

Stronger Action Needed on Alcohol and Violence

The insights from this webinar accentuate the pressing need for stringent measures to address the role of alcohol in gendered violence. While not explicitly advocating for a total prohibition, the discussion subtly suggests that more decisive actions are necessary to safeguard affected communities and eliminate policy gaps.

Source: Fare