FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015

What works for reducing the impact of alcohol on family violence

Today Superu published the paper Reducing the impact of alcohol on family violence. Previously little focus has been given to bringing together research on the role of alcohol in family violence.

The paper summarises what we know about the link between alcohol and family violence – specifically intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment. Increasingly international approaches include reducing alcohol harm as a specific action point in preventing family violence.

Dealing with alcohol harm could lessen the risk of family violence. No single intervention can address family violence in its totality. There are complex and multiple factors across all levels of society that lead to family violence.

Clare Ward, Superu Chief Executive, says “Linking effective alcohol and family violence strategies may help reduce alcohol-related family violence. This will not address all the factors in family violence, but reducing alcohol-related harm has a part to play.”

Ms Ward adds, “The evidence suggests that population-level policy approaches (such as reducing alcohol availability and increasing price and advertising-limits) hold promise to reduce family violence but more research into the effectiveness of these approaches is required.”

The paper also presents what is known about interventions and strategies to reduce alcohol-related family violence. For example the paper notes that programmes that target excess alcohol consumption by individuals and within relationships can be effective in reducing intimate partner violence.

“We want this information to help the social sector make better decisions – about funding, policies or services – to improve the lives of families and whānau,” says Ms Ward.

The literature review on which this What Works paper is based was produced by the SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health at Massey University for Superu.

This paper is the second of Superu’s What Works series. What works briefs synthesise specific social sector topics with the aim of informing decisions and investment in the social sector.

To read the publication, click here

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