The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) welcomes the Rapid Review Expert Panel’s recommendations relating to alcohol, to prevent domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia.
The report, Unlocking the Prevention Potential: Accelerating action to end domestic, family and sexual violence, outlines a range of recommendations including reviewing and strengthening alcohol regulation and better supporting the role of alcohol and other drug organisations in prevention.
Kym Valentine, an experienced television/theatre actor and Survivor Advocate, said the recommendations in this report bring hope.
“While everyone’s story is unique, there are commonalities – and alcohol is one of them.
“So many of us know that the sound of the alcohol delivery truck pulling into our driveway means we need to enact safety plans, and keep our kids safe.
“We shouldn’t have to try and stem the tide of alcohol into our homes – it’s something governments have a responsibility to do.
“But alcohol companies and their lobbyists routinely undermine the reforms that victim survivors have been crying out for.
“Now is the time for governments to take action, to honor all of the women and children who have suffered and continue to experience alcohol-fueled violence.”
FARE CEO, Caterina Giorgi welcomed the report’s findings and looks forward to working with governments to ensure the development of an integrated and focused effort to address the role of alcohol in increasing and exacerbating domestic, family and sexual violence.
“For the many people who have experienced violence involving alcohol, this report demonstrates an acknowledgement of this.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity for governments across Australia to stand together, united in their commitment to prevent further violence and deaths.
“We encourage National Cabinet to adopt the recommendations relating to alcohol in full.
“Alcohol plays a significant role in exacerbating and increasing the severity of gender-based and family violence – and addressing this is an important part of any approach to prevention.”
FARE, alongside leading health and community organisations have been long advocating for common sense measures on alcohol harm reduction, to prevent gender-based violence. The review’s recommendations included:
- adopting clear primary objectives in state and territory liquor regulatory regimes to prevent gender-based violence, alongside existing objectives around alcohol harm reduction.
- restricting alcohol sales, delivery timeframes and advertising, including advertising being restricted during sporting events.
Ms Giorgi said, “We look forward to working with all levels of government to implement effective alcohol policies that prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of women and children.
“In the coming months we call on all policymakers and decisionmakers to continue to listen to the voices of survivors.
“Believing them is key to seeing real change in preventing and reducing further violence and deaths in our communities.”
