The Surge in Alcohol Related Domestic Violence at Christmas

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As the world observes the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence (November 25th – December 10th), it’s crucial to address this hidden crisis and devastating link between alcohol consumption and physical abuse leading up to and during Christmas.

The holiday season, with its promise of festive cheer and celebration, tragically marks a peak in domestic violence incidents. The increased availability of alcohol and the pressures of the period amplify danger, turning what should be a time of joy into one of fear and physical harm.

ed wine glasses for Christmas

16 Days of Action: A Time for Vigilance

The 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence is a global campaign, initiated in 1991, that runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to International Human Rights Day.

This period is a critical time for individuals and communities to advocate for a world free from gender-based violence.

In the run-up to Christmas, this campaign provides a vital moment to highlight the factors that escalate violence in the home, particularly the complex role of alcohol.

The Intricate Link: Alcohol and Physical Assault

It is essential to state clearly: Alcohol does not cause domestic abuse, but it acts as a powerful contributing factor that severely heightens the risk and intensity of physical and sexual abuse.

The combination of easy access to alcohol over the festive period, coupled with increased stress (financial pressure, family tensions), creates a volatile environment.

The Statistical Reality

The correlation between alcohol use and domestic violence is stark, affecting millions and putting both partners and children at risk:

Prevalence in Assault: An estimated 3 out of 4 spousal abuse incidents involve alcohol use.
Offender Reporting: A staggering 92% of domestic abuse assailants report consuming alcohol on the day they committed the assault.
Impact on Children: Children are more likely to be victims of physical and sexual abuse when alcohol is involved, with 40% of confirmed cases of child mistreatment involving alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol’s Role in Escalating Physical Violence

Alcohol’s psychoactive effects can significantly lower inhibitions and impair cognitive functions, directly increasing the likelihood of physical aggression:

Increased Aggression: Alcohol reduces the brain’s ability to restrain impulsive behaviour. This can turn minor disagreements into violent outbursts and physical confrontations.
Impaired Decision-Making: Intoxication impairs judgement and impulse control, leading to an inability to assess consequences accurately. The perpetrator is less able to resolve conflicts rationally.
Victim Vulnerability: When intoxicated, a victim’s ability to defend themselves, call for help, or escape a physical threat is severely compromised.
Excusing Behaviour: Offenders frequently use alcohol as a misplaced justification for their violent actions, shifting accountability away from their deliberate choice to abuse.

Abuse Beyond the Physical: Coercive Control

Domestic abuse is broader than just physical violence, encompassing controlling or coercive behaviours. Alcohol can be weaponised as a tool of coercive control:

Forced Drinking: Abusers may pressure a partner into drinking, increasing their dependency and making it harder for them to resist control or seek help.
Economic Control: Conflict can arise when an abuser feels entitled to the family budget to purchase alcohol, leading to coercion and financial abuse.
Gaslighting: Abusers may manipulate victims into questioning their own reality by blaming the victim’s drinking for conflicts or physical injuries.
Coping Mechanism: Tragically, people experiencing domestic abuse may resort to alcohol themselves as a coping mechanism for the physical and mental health effects of the trauma, which can, in turn, leave them more vulnerable to further abuse.

red Christmas ball bauble

Seeking Safety: Help and Legal Justice

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, particularly where physical violence and alcohol are involved, remember that support is available. You are not alone.

Immediate Support

If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
For non-emergency reporting or advice, call 101 to contact your local domestic abuse team.
Organisations like Alcohol Change UK offer vital support and resources for those dealing with alcohol and domestic abuse.

Claiming Compensation for Physical Injury

Victims of physical assault can seek justice and financial support through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) scheme. This government scheme provides compensation to victims of violent crime in Great Britain.

To be eligible for a CICA claim:

You must have suffered a ‘crime of violence’ (i.e., a physical assault).
The assault must have been reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable.
The claim must usually be made within two years of the incident (though exceptions exist).

The CICA provides a fixed tariff of compensation for various physical injuries (e.g., broken bones, scarring) and psychological injuries resulting from the assault. This is a crucial route for survivors to access financial stability, especially when pursuing a claim against the assailant directly is impractical.

Act Now and End the Cycle

The 16 Days of Action campaign is a reminder that we all have a role to play in ending the cycle of domestic violence.

Raise Awareness: Use your voice to highlight the seasonal spike in abuse and the risk factors.
Support Services: Donate or volunteer at shelters and support organisations that anticipate a surge in demand immediately after the festive season.
Be a Listener: If someone confides in you, believe them, and help them access professional resources.

Let’s work together to ensure that the Christmas season is a time of safety, not fear, for everyone in our communities.

Frequently asked questions:

Will I be eligible to claim from the CICA after a criminal assault?

If you have been the victim of a physical assault, then you will have satisfied the first CICA eligibility branch of suffering a ‘crime of violence.’

Usually, the assault must have taken place in the past 2 years, although there are exceptions to this rule, and the assault must have been reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. For further details on eligibility, please see our in-depth guide on CICA claims.

How much will the CICA offer me for an assault claim?

Upon their formation, the CICA introduced a statutory Scheme in 1996, which has seen amendments over time, containing a tariff of injuries. This tariff provides compensation for common injuries that increase in value with severity and the ongoing recovery a victim is undertaking.

Victims of physical assaults can claim not only for their physical injuries but also the psychological effects that an incident has had on them. The compensation offered by the CICA for such injuries is again dependent on the severity.

Examples of the injuries that the CICA compensate for are below:

Type of injury	Compensation
Broken Jaw w/operation – substantial recovery	£1,800
Facial Scarring causing serious disfigurement	£11,000
A moderately disabling permanent mental injury confirmed by diagnosis/prognosis of a psychiatrist / clinical psychologist	£19,000

champagne glasses with strawberries

The experts in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims

In the year ending March 2018, an estimated 1.4 million adults were the victims of an assault or violent crime, and around 47% of these assaults resulted in injury.

If you have suffered a criminal assault and sustained an injury as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.

While pursuing an assault claim against the assailant for compensation may be the first port of call for a victim, factors render this avenue impractical. An assailant may never be found, and even if they are, they may fail to have the means to pay any compensation.

How long will the CICA take to complete an assault claim?

The CICA advises that, from the date that they receive an application, they aim to take around twelve-eighteen months to make their initial decision on a claim.

This timescale can vary depending on the circumstances of the assault, the severity of injuries, and the complexity of the overall claim.

Why choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd for my CICA claim?

After sustaining an assault, we understand that the last thing an individual wants to do is progress through a stressful claims experience. At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we want to take away the stress of progressing with an assault claim while also helping you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

Our file handlers have experience with dealing with traumatic incidents and have received training in dealing with vulnerable people.

We will agree to work on your CICA claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. The only time we will receive any money after an assault claim is if we bring your claim to a successful conclusion, at which point we will take a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation. If your CICA claim is unsuccessful, you will not be expected to pay us a penny.

This arrangement obviously means that we are incentivised to try and obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your assault claim.