Alcohol Action Ireland press release, Wednesday 3 December 2025
To mark the United Nations’ international campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), the national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm, is organising a live webinar examining the role of alcohol in such violence on Thursday, 4 December (10-11.30).
The keynote speakers, Prof Anne-Marie Laslett and Dr Ingrid Wilson, are joint authors of a major review paper – Harms to women and children from men’s alcohol use: An evidence review and directions for policy. Anne-Marie will speak about alcohol’s impact on children’s rights to health, safety, education and services, while Ingridwill look at alcohol-related intimate partner violence through a feminist lens. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Allison Graham (CEO, Saoirse Domestic Violence Services), Dr Michelle Walsh (CEO, MOVE Ireland – Men Overcoming Violence) & academic, feminist activist and patron of AAI’s Silent Voices initiative Ailbhe Smyth, as well as a Q&A session on a framework to address such harms.
AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said: “The starting point for any conversation regarding alcohol and Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is to state unequivocally that alcohol is not, and never will be, a cause, excuse or explanation for DSGBV. Many people consume alcohol and do not perpetrate violence against their partner or children, and not all who perpetrate domestic violence use alcohol.
“However, the consistent link between alcohol and DSGBV has led to the recognition of alcohol as a risk factor for intimate partner violence by the World Health Organization (WHO). What we do know is that alcohol acts as a commercial accelerant of violence and research shows that, in incidences of DSGBV, it appears the role of alcohol is one of a facilitative nature, a contributing factor. We also know that parental problem alcohol use is a well-known gateway to other adverse childhood experiences including domestic violence and sexual abuse. Contributors to AAI’s Silent Voices initiative highlight such trauma from their own lived experiences which must inform policy this area.
“The fact that Cuan, the state agency dedicated to tackling and reducing DSGBV, recognises that children who witness or live in an environment of domestic abuse are victims in their own right, and require immediate support, is a hugely positive step. In Ireland, a third of children have a parent who regular binge drinks or is dependent on alcohol and in many incidences, alcohol use is the catalyst to significant domestic disruption and abuse. We also know that unfortunately children who experience domestic abuse have a higher likelihood of becoming adult victims or perpetrators themselves. Given the close connection between alcohol and domestic violence it is likely that thousands of children are living in homes with alcohol-fuelled violence.”
According to Women’s Aid ‘Femicide Watch’, 277 women have died violently between 1996 and 19 November 2025. 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.
Dr Gilheany continued: “With Christmas just around the corner we cannot forget that cases of domestic abuse and violence increase dramatically over the Christmas holidays. Indeed, a total of 1,600 reports of domestic violence were made over Christmas week 2024, representing an all-time high in incidents in a seven-day period. Gardaí usually receive about 1,200 calls regarding domestic violence each week.
“In the course of AAI’s work examining the role of alcohol and DSGBV one particular quote from international researchers stood out: ‘Ignoring the presence of alcohol will neither eliminate its role in intimate partner violence nor prevent its 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.’
“While alcohol is clearly a feature of much violence and trauma in Ireland, there is a lot more government could do to tackle this issue. For example, the current Zero Tolerance strategy on DSGBV does not reference alcohol at all. Licensing legislation does not explicitly point to the public health value in restricting alcohol sales and there is significant pressure from the alcohol industry to extend licensing hours, which will inevitably lead to an increase in domestic violence. This silence gives the alcohol industry a free pass to recklessly promote their products and demand access to more selling opportunities.”
MOVE (Men Overcoming Violence) work in the area of domestic violence, with a primary aim of supporting the safety and wellbeing of women and their children who are experiencing, or have experienced, violence/abuse in an intimate relationship.
MOVE CEO Dr Michelle Walsh said: “The staff at MOVE see daily the significant danger many women and children are exposed to by living with DSGBV, and we understand that alcohol can lead to detrimental outcomes and accelerate risk. Indeed, in 2023 we found that drug and alcohol use was a factor in 50% of the cases referred to us. Therefore, what we can say is that alcohol use is one of the most consistent risk factors for domestic violence.”
Academic, feminist activist and patron of AAI’s Silent Voices initiative Ailbhe Smyth said: “While the last two decades have seen a welcome increased focus on tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the reality is much more work is needed to eradicate this human rights abuse. Central to this is the need to investigate all the factors which are drivers of such violence, including alcohol.
“While DSGBV can happen to anyone, and it can take many forms, the reality is that DSGBV in Ireland is overwhelmingly perpetrated against women and children. Research continuously identifies alcohol use as one of the most consistent risk factors for domestic violence and violence against children and alcohol has long been known to increase both the incidence and severity of physical and sexual violence within intimate relationships and families. The more we examine the role of alcohol in DSGBV, the better able we will be to develop effective prevention strategies and treatment responses.”
ENDS
Notes
- Places are limited but still available for ‘A discussion on the role of men’s drinking in domestic violence’. Book your free spot here:
