As Alcohol Awareness Week approaches, from July 7th to 13th, it is crucial to address a sensitive yet vital topic: the intricate relationship between alcohol and domestic abuse.
Alcohol alone is not a cause of domestic abuse; it is a contributing factor in spousal abuse and domestic violence, negatively impacting the entire family and the individual who is drinking.
This week emphasizes the importance of understanding the intricacies of alcohol abuse and how domestic abuse victims can seek legal assistance through a CICA claim.
How are people affected by domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is defined as a single instance or pattern of behaviours that is perpetrated by one individual against a person who is personally connected to them, such as:
- Physically or sexually abusive
- Violent or threatening
- Controlling or coercive
- Economically abusive
- Psychologically, emotionally, or otherwise abusive.
Domestic abuse impacts millions in the UK, affecting not only the abuser but also family members and children. An estimated 3 out of 4 spousal abuse incidents involve alcohol use, with 92% of domestic abuse assailants reporting alcohol use on the day of their assault.
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.
Raised by parents who abuse alcohol, children are at risk for substance abuse and addiction problems, leading to legal, development, social, and health-related issues.
The Children of Alcoholics Foundation found that 40% of confirmed cases involve alcohol or other drugs.
The impact of alcohol
Alcohol use and instances of domestic abuse are strongly correlated, according to research. Studies indicate that around 25-50% of domestic abuse cases involve alcohol.
Key effects of alcohol in abusive situations include:
- Increased aggression: Alcohol can increase aggressive behaviour and increase the likelihood of violent outbursts. Abuse incidents often involve intoxicated individuals, and lack of access to alcohol can create irritability or anger, triggering a trigger point.
- Impaired decision-making: Alcohol intoxication can lead to reduced impulse control, escalating conflicts, and can impact self-control, decision-making, and conflict resolution abilities.
- Victim vulnerability: When intoxicated, a person may be less able to protect themselves, “accept” the abuse easily, or be unable to ask for assistance.
- Excusing abusive behaviour: Offenders often avoid accountability by using alcohol as a justification for their behaviour.
The psychological impact of alcohol on domestic abuse
Domestic abuse encompasses emotional, psychological, and financial abuse in addition to physical violence.
One vital component is coercive control and alcohol can be used as a weapon in several ways:
- Forced drinking: Abusers can coerce a partner or relative into drinking, thereby increasing their dependence and hindering their ability to resist control.
- Economic Control: When someone feels entitled to the family budget to purchase alcohol, it can cause coercion and conflict.
- Using alcohol to justify control: Abusers may justify their controlling behaviour due to their partner’s or relative’s drinking habits, withholding, or preventing alcohol purchases, which can be distressing and potentially dangerous for those dependent on alcohol, causing withdrawal symptoms.
- Gaslighting through alcohol: Victims may be manipulated into questioning their reality, particularly if an abuser blames their drinking for conflicts.
- People who experience domestic abuse may drink to try to cope: Domestic abuse can be overwhelming and distressing, leading individuals to resort to alcohol as a coping mechanism for the physical and mental health effects.
Alcohol use can also leave someone more vulnerable to further abuse, especially if drinking prevents survivors from accessing support or makes their mental health worse.
What to do if you are experiencing domestic abuse and alcohol is involved
You are not alone if you are a victim of domestic abuse. Tragically, hundreds of thousands of families are impacted annually, and everyone should receive assistance. You may be able to take action to make yourself safer by getting help with your drinking or cutting back on your consumption.
If you are in danger, be ready to call the police using 999. You can also call 101 to report a previous incident or to get advice from the local domestic abuse team.
Access Alcohol and domestic abuse – Alcohol Change UK for solutions of support.
Frequently asked questions:
What is a historic abuse claim?
If you are a survivor of abuse in the past, whether that be sexual abuse or physical assault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the impact it had upon your health.
A claim can be made for the physical impact to your health but also, and often more importantly, it can also be made for any damage it may have caused to your mental health. Compensation can be claimed for personal injury and also any financial losses you may have suffered as a result of your ill health.
Where might historic abuse occur?
Historic abuse is also known as “non-recent abuse” or “non-accidental abuse” and relates to any physical, sexual, or emotional attack inflicted on a person. These attacks may have taken place in a single incident or repeated over time.
Historic abuse commonly occurs when the attacker holds a position of power over the victim.
- Institutional child sexual abuse: In some cases, if the abuse has occurred within an organisational setting, for example, an after-school club or within a religious setting, this might be referred to as Institutional child sexual abuse.
What is the CICA?
The CICA is a government-funded authority that aims to compensate blameless victims of an assault or other violent crimes. Formed in 1996 with the sole purpose of providing compensation to blameless victims of violent crime. The value of compensation that it offers for a single injury can vary from £1,000 up to £250,000, with a maximum total payment of £500,000 being available for a CICA claim.
A physical assault is the most common form of claim that is submitted to the CICA. They can often involve unprovoked attacks, sometimes with the suspect using a weapon to inflict the injuries.
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 long will the CICA take to compete a sexual abuse assault claim?
The CICA advises that, from the date that they receive an application, it aims to take around twelve-eighteen months to make its 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.
Further information:
Alcohol and domestic abuse.
Alcohol Awareness week.
Sexual Abuse/Domestic Abuse Claims.
Historic Abuse Claims.
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Our experienced Solicitors will work on your CICA claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis, ensuring they are motivated to maximize compensation for your assault case.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
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Molly Frost joined the Firm in June 2024 and specializes in abuse compensation claims. Having over 20 years’ experience helping survivors recover compensation, she is considered an expert in her fie…
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