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

Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies

Information Dissemination

Information dissemination is designed to increase knowledge and change attitudes about alcohol use and abuse through activities such as group discussions and media campaigns. For women, activities can focus on the correlation between alcohol use and abuse and victimization.

The goal is to encourage information sharing among participants and to enable them to review their own values, lifestyles, and practices. These empower individuals to adapt their current lifestyles to more effective and healthy approaches as needed. An example is a seminar on a college campus that discusses myths and realities related to alcohol, dating violence, and sexual assault.

It is important to be able to refer people to prevention specialists, activities, and organizations that can help them prevent alcohol abuse. Referral to a class or group can be made by anyone who knows the appropriate referrals. Effective referral includes five steps:

• Update referral list. Keep an updated referral list containing contacts and phone numbers.
• Check credibility. Check the credibility of all referral organizations. Ask about:
  • The prevention services the organization provides
  • The cost of the prevention services
  • The schedule of programs and office hours
  • Accessibility
  • Proximity to public transportation
  • Languages spoken
  • Community outreach efforts
  • Type of services provided (recreation, education, etc.)
  • Experience dealing with special populations, such as abused women
  • Requirements for appointments, rather than walk-in service
• Have the client call. Have the client make the referral call. This will empower the client to act on his or her own behalf instead of depending on others.
• Send reminders to the client, if appropriate.
• Follow-up. Follow-up with the referred person(s) to ensure that the referral appointment was kept.

You can also help educate others. When possible, make informational materials available in your office, community center, or waiting room.