Studies have shown that 30% of all sexual assaults have taken place when the offender
has been under the influence of alcohol.
There is a popular misconception that if someone has committed a sexual crime whilst under the influence of
alcohol the alcohol is to blame. This is incorrect. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, and when inhibitions are lowered
through the use of alcohol it is easier to act in ways you would not normally, without regretting your actions.
It is best to avoid situations where you may be at risk of sexual assault taking place such as
leaving your drink unattended. You never know what someone may put in it when you're
not looking.
- If you don’t feel comfortable in a situation, you should leave.
- Be careful about bringing/going home with strangers or those you don’t know too well.
- Don’t put yourself into a situation where you NEED others to take care of you, because later on they
may not be around.
Child abuse is any form of physical, psychological, emotional or sexual mistreatment used
against a child.
If this type of behaviour is carried out while using alcohol or being intoxicated it is not appropriate to blame the
alcohol. People make choices about drinking alcohol and how much they drink.
Alcohol lowers inhibitions. When our inhibitions are lowered or we are intoxicated we can act in ways that we
would not when sober.
There is a risk of children who have been abused developing alcohol problems in adult life.
Domestic abuse is any form of physical, emotional, sexual or financial mistreatment that
takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship. It belongs to a pattern of bullying
and controlling behaviour carried out usually by one person against another.
Men and women can be either the abuser or the victim. Sometimes it can be a young person
in the family who abuses the parents or other family members.
Reports linking alcohol and intoxication to domestic abuse are well documented.
It is not uncommon for victims of domestic abuse to report that they have been assaulted on occasions when the
abuser has been drinking or sober. The violence committed by the abuser while drunk is often more severe.
If this type of behaviour is carried out while using alcohol or being intoxicated it is not appropriate to blame the
alcohol. We make choices about drinking alcohol and how much we drink.
Alcohol lowers inhibitions. When our inhibitions are lowered or we are intoxicated we can act in ways that we
would not when sober.
If people find themselves acting aggressively or violently when they drink, the risk of causing a serious accident
or injury will be higher and often followed with legal consequences. To avoid this, people need to be aware of
their choices; they should either cut down their drinking to safe levels or stop altogether.
Alcohol is a depressant drug (a drug that reduces the function or activity of a specific
part of the body or brain).Depressant drugs are sometimes used to avoid the thoughts
and feelings relating to a negative situation (for instance, domestic violence).
This may work in the short term. However in the long term this can lead to other
problems:
- Avoiding dealing with the issue of domestic violence.
- Alcohol dependency.
- Blaming your own alcohol use for the domestic violence rather than your partner for their actions.
As a depressant drug, (a depressant is a drug that reduces the function or activity of a
specific part of the body or brain) alcohol can be used when a negative situation is
over to help block out the negative thoughts and feelings relating to the past. Alcohol
may also be used to lower inhibitions in new social situations.
In the long term this does not resolve the problem as:
- Relying on alcohol in difficult or new situations can lead to dependency.
- Alcohol can prevent you from moving on from the negative memories or feelings.
- Alcohol use impairs judgment which could cause problems when forming new relationships.
For more information see:
