The Senate Committee examining domestic violence in Australia has today acknowledged the role of alcohol in family violence and endorsed the framework developed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) to prevent and reduce it.
Among its 25 recommendations, the Committee has called on the Commonwealth Government to “consider the framework developed by FARE as part of the cross–jurisdictional work it is leading through COAG to ensure the development of an integrated and focused effort to reduce the role of alcohol as a contributing factor in cases of domestic violence”.
Alcohol is involved in up to 65 per cent of family violence incidents reported to police and up to 47 per cent of child abuse cases in Australia. Alcohol was also consumed by the perpetrator in more than a third of intimate partner homicides.
Yet to date, government plans have either not adequately acknowledged alcohol’s involvement in family violence, or have failed to embrace strategies to address the issue.
In June this year, FARE’s National framework for action to prevent alcohol-related family violence was launched by Australian of the Year Rosie Batty at Parliament House in Canberra.
The comprehensive plan outlines policies and programs that all Australian governments can implement which will have a tangible impact on reducing and preventing alcohol-related family violence.
Welcoming the report, FARE Chief Executive, Michael Thorn urged the Commonwealth Government to swiftly adopt the Inquiry’s recommendations.
“I am encouraged that the Senate Committee into domestic violence in Australia has not only acknowledged alcohol’s significant role in family violence, but has formally recognised that FARE’s existing National Framework, which was developed in consultation with alcohol and other drugs and family violence services, can serve as a strong foundation for the future work that needs to be done,” Mr Thorn said.
