CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Issues
2. Understanding Alcohol Abuse
3. Understanding Violence Against Women
4. Alcohol and Domestic Violence
5. Alcohol, Sexual Assault, and Rape
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Screening and Assessment
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Fact Sheets
Videos
Resources

Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women

Module Content Objectives Introduction Common Characteristics of Alcohol Abuse and Domestic Violence Introduction to The Batterer -- Risk Factors For Violence -- Characteristics of Batterers The Power and Control Wheel Why Women Stay in Abusive Relationships Violence During Pregnancy Mental Health/Psychiatric Symptoms The Connection Between Alcohol Abuse and Domestic Violence -- Alcohol-Related Violence Statistics Patterns of Relationship Violence -- Cycle of Violence -- Role of Alcohol in the Cycle of Violence Alcohol and Abusive Men Theories of Alcohol and Domestic Violence Effects of Drinking and Family Abuse on Children Alcohol and Dating Violence Adolescent Pregnancy Summary of Module References Module 4 Quiz

Alcohol and Dating Violence

The pattern of violence in dating couples is similar to that experienced by couples that are married or living together:

• In both types of relationships, one partner forces power and control over the other.
• Both involve jealousy coupled with emotional and physical abuse.
• Because 11 million drinkers are underage, alcohol plays a large part in many teenage abusive situations. More than 60 percent of sexual assaults will involve alcohol.⁵¹ In fact, one in four teenagers will experience sexual or nonsexual abuse by the time they finish college. Teenagers and women in their twenties are at higher risk of sexual abuse and verbal abuse than older women.

Although there have been many studies on domestic violence experienced by adult women, studies on domestic violence experienced by younger women in high school and college are just beginning. Despite increased public awareness about drinking and abuse, many people still do not realize that violence and problem drinking occur in younger relationships.

Dating behavior in high school and college helps to define the relationships men and women will have as adults. If the man in earlier relationships is violent and uses alcohol, he has a greater chance of being violent again later in life. If a young woman encounters violence early in her dating experience, she is more likely to experience it again when she is older.

Relationships in high school and college are a form of exploration and carry a sense of excitement. Relationships allow the young woman and man to practice how to express their emotions and feelings, but unfortunately, many young people do not have healthy role models to emulate. Although men and women may both become victims of abuse, the woman usually becomes the victim of more severe abuse.⁵² Women also tend to become violent in self-defense, not as the initial aggressor.

In an unhealthy relationship, the man has a need to show power and control. All acts, whether they are physical, emotional, or sexual, are performed to show and keep power and control. Most of the men who become violent in dating relationships hold very traditional ideas about the roles of men and women. For example, the man may believe that women need to serve men and, when married, that it is their duty to stay home and not work outside the home.

Many teenagers and young adults have not had healthy role models upon which to base their relationships. Professionals working with youth can provide tools to help them see possible warning signs of an abusive relationship. The attached checklist can help a young woman to evaluate a first date or current romantic interest.⁵³

Adolescence is a turbulent time. Relationships, both romantic and with peers, add to this sense of anxiety and confusion. If the relationship becomes violent, the young woman has not yet had time to fully ascertain her own self-esteem and identity, something many older women may have had time to do. Because of this, the effect of the violence can manifest itself in different ways.

Teenage women may:

• Develop eating disorders, either anorexia or bulimia
• Self medicate with drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, guilt, and shame
• Develop sleep disturbances
• Develop stress-related physical ailments
• Become depressed or suicidal
• Begin to allow their studies to slip and become distracted
• Become more isolated from friends and family⁵⁴

Teen dating violence occurs within the context of adolescent development. It affects certain developmental aspects unique to adolescence. Therefore, it is different from violence in adult abusive relationships.

Developmental aspects include:

• New and mature relationships with peers of both sexes
• Emotional independence
• Social role achievement (developing a sense of who you are within your family and peer network)
• The ability to develop personal values and beliefs
• Academic achievements (the ability to create and achieve academic goals for future success)

For information about how alcohol and other drugs are related to dating violence and sexual assault, see Module 5.