While alcohol is not, and never will be, an excuse or explanation for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), what we do know is that alcohol acts as a commercial accelerant of violence and research shows that, in incidences of domestic abuse, it appears the role of alcohol is one of a facilitative nature, a contributing factor.

A new national strategy to tackle DSGBV is due next year and the Programme for Government states that alcohol licensing laws are set to be updated – both of which fall within the remit of the Minister for Justice. It is of note that the national government in Australia in 2024 agreed to review all alcohol legislation with a view towards reducing family violence, so there is a real opportunity now for Ireland to follow Australia’s lead and review all alcohol legislation with a view towards reducing family violence.

There are estimates of alcohol being a factor in up to 70% of domestic violence incidents in Ireland while international research also demonstrates links between domestic violence and big sporting occasions as well as bank holiday weekends with their associated marketing and increases in alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, the current Zero Tolerance strategy to tackle DSGBV does not reference alcohol at all, so one of the biggest risk factors for DSGBV is not currently being considered when it comes to prevention or services. Meanwhile there is significant pressure from the alcohol industry to extend licensing hours, which will inevitably lead to increased levels of domestic violence.

It is imperative that the next Zero Tolerance strategy includes alcohol. MOVE – Men Overcoming Violence – who work in the area of domestic violence with a primary aim of supporting the safety and wellbeing of women and their children, found that drug and alcohol use was a factor in 50% of their referred cases, while  SAOL, who work with women who experience severe and multiple disadvantage, estimate that 90% of women who access their services have had a lived experience of gender-based violence. For many women their experience of substance use and domestic abuse is inextricably linked.

As one academic paper has pointed out: ‘Ignoring the presence of alcohol will neither eliminate its role in intimate partner violence nor prevent it being used as an excuse for violence. On the contrary, the more we know about how alcohol affects violence, including intimate partner violence, the better able we will be to develop effective prevention strategies and treatment responses.’

There are no economic or social boundaries to DSGBV – it could be anybody’s sister or daughter that ends up a victim. We owe it to the countless people who have been killed and injured by abusive partners and ex-partners to look at all drivers of intimate partner violence including alcohol. For far too long policymakers have turned a blind eye to this aspect of domestic violence.

Alcohol must be included in the next Zero Tolerance strategy to tackle DSGBV.