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

Domestic Violence Screening

There are many questions you can ask a woman to begin screening for evidence of domestic abuse. One tool is the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory. Other questions you may ask include:¹⁷

• What happens when you argue with your partner?
• How safe do you feel with your partner? How safe do you feel when you leave here?
• How does your partner try to control your alcohol use?
• How does your partner show respect to you?
• Can you tell me about a situation with your partner when: (1) yelling and screaming occurred, (2) things were destroyed, and (3) your partner pushed, slapped, or hit you?
• Have your efforts to get clean and sober been sabotaged by your partner?

Besides physical signs, professionals should listen for:

• Any statements that suggest her partner won't let her do something (e.g., attend counseling, support groups, see family/friends, go alone to appointments),
• Evidence or reports of child abuse, and
• Inconsistencies or evasiveness.