Alcohol problems and domestic violence

In 2009 Landsorganisationen for Kvindekrisecentre (organisation for women crisis centres in Denmark) had annual statistics prepared which estimated that about 28,000 women had been exposed to domestic violence during one year. At the time of publication of this report by the Danish National Centre for Social Research (SFI), only about 300 men were undergoing treatment for their domestic violence problems. The numbers speak for themselves: Too few violent men are undergoing treatment compared with the extent of the problem. In 2002, the Danish government launched an action plan to combat violence against women, and as a new initiative, the plan also focused on the abuser as a person who should be offered professional help to deal with the problem. Even though treatment programmes were established in the wake of this plan, getting in touch with the violent men turned out to be a challenge.
Therefore, this pilot survey from SFI covers the possibility of getting in touch with violent men through alcohol treatment programmes. The survey was carried out in cooperation with two alcohol treatment facilities, one in Ringgården in Middelfart and the other in the municipality of Aarhus. According to the report, one-third of men in alcohol treatment programmes who have or have had a partner, have hit their partner. Therefore, the report recommends that alcohol treatment facilities obtain more knowledge about the work on violence so that they can offer first treatment for violence as well.
This report has been supported by TrygFonden.