CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Issues
2. Understanding Alcohol Abuse
3. Understanding Violence Against Women
4. Alcohol and Domestic Violence
5. Alcohol, Sexual Assault, and Rape
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Screening and Assessment
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Fact Sheets
Videos
Resources

Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women

Patterns of Relationship Violence

In an abusive relationship, whether it involves physical violence, emotional or sexual harm, or conflicts and abuse involving money, the man generally exerts power over the woman. Although there are heterosexual relationships in which the woman is the aggressor, in 85 percent of cases, the man is the abuser and the woman is the victim.²⁹

Substance abuse and violence against women are problems that may coexist and can also exacerbate each other. For example, both involve denial, with substance abusers and batterers blaming their partners for their behavior. Usually, neither problem decreases until a crisis occurs. Secrecy is often the rule, with victims of abuse wrongly blaming themselves for their partner's substance abuse or violent behavior.³⁰

The relationship between alcohol abuse and domestic or dating violence is complex. Not all men who abuse their partner drink, and many men do not become violent when they drink. A man who drinks or uses drugs may abuse his partner when he is using and when he is not using. This creates even more stress for abused women because there is no one simple behavior pattern for men who abuse alcohol or other drugs.

In some abusive relationships, the man may abuse alcohol before becoming violent toward his partner, but not in every case. There are cases where both partners may be abusing substances. Neither is able to stay sober without the other sabotaging his or her efforts.

Often, when a violent man abstains from alcohol, his violent, controlling behavior increases. As a result, for their own safety, some women may subtly encourage the man to continue drinking. If the woman tries to stop drinking, the man often forces her to get drunk with him to avoid further abuse. Either way, each person's efforts at sobriety fail.³¹ It is important to look for signs of an abusive relationship. These warning signs can help you and your client identify possible problems. Abuse is not always physical. Simply looking for signs, such as bruises, cuts, or scars, is not enough. There may be signs of verbal or psychological abuse as well. You can contact your local coalitions for additional information.