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

Additional Statements of Support

If someone declines to discuss domestic violence issues, consider whether the silence may be due to a fear of the batterer, or to cultural, race, or gender issues that make it difficult to talk about such personal experiences. Again, gentle, yet clearly worded statements will achieve the best results:⁹

• "I am concerned about your safety."
• "You can talk to me about what is happening at home."
• "I am concerned about your children's safety. Domestic violence can harm your children."
• "Domestic violence is a crime."

It is also important to remember that a woman's pregnancy puts her at additional risk for abuse at home. For more information about domestic violence and pregnancy, go to the Centers for Disease Control's site: http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/wh_violence.htm. There are many assessment tools available to those professionals working with teenagers and dating violence. A few of them test acceptance of couple violence, gender stereotyping, and attitudes toward women.

Abused women have an overwhelming need to feel safe. Their lives have been turned upside down and they need to feel they can live without fear. Initially, abused women need a safe place to sleep and store clothes and other belongings. They also need information about available resources and options, city, county or statewide. Some women may require medical assistance, clothing, transportation, food, money, childcare, job training, education, and/or legal assistance.