Violence and injuries
Alcohol, in particular binge drinking, is a common risk factor for increased injuries and violence, including gender-based violence, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence (IPV).1
Injuries
Alcohol-related injuries can be caused by incidents like1:
- falls
- motor vehicle collisions
- acts of violence, such as assault
Accidents such as motor vehicle collisions are preventable, and can be avoided by planning ahead, using a designated driver, calling a taxi, using public transit, or staying over at a friend’s house, for example.
Violence and aggression1
Evidence has shown that more alcohol being consumed in one sitting or occasion is directly related to the likelihood and severity of violence and aggression taking place. There are multiple factors which can influence the risks of perpetrating violence and aggression while drinking, some factors include:
- how much alcohol is consumed (binge drinking/heavy drinking)
- how the person is affected by alcohol
- the person’s mood and beliefs
- the setting or situation where the drinking is taking place
- the culture or environment where the drinking is taking place
Intimate partner violence
Intimate partner violence refers to physical, mental, emotional, or sexual harm in an intimate relationship. Harm inflicted on one partner by the other through controlling behaviour, physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological abuse. Intimate partner violence can happen between current or ex-partners.2
Like other forms of alcohol-related violence, incidences of intimate partner violence are more likely to occur in situations where there is binge drinking or drinking to intoxication or in cases where there is a violent partner with an alcohol use disorder. Remember, you are not the cause or at fault for violence perpetrated against you.1
If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of someone you care about, there is support available:
- Victim services:
- Sudbury and Area Victim services call 705.522.6970 or visit savs.ca
- Manitoulin Northshore Victim Services call 1.866.392.7733 (toll-free) or visit mnvictimservices.ca
- Crisis services are available 24/7, call Health Sciences North Crisis Services at 1.877.841.1101 (toll-free) or visit crisishelp.ca.
- Call or text the National Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8, services are available 24/7.
- In emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Reducing risk
In cases where there is a risk or history of violence it is recommended that a person who has a history of violence limits or avoids alcohol altogether. Victims or survivors of alcohol-related violence are not responsible for the violence perpetrated on them. There is no evidence to support the need for limiting alcohol consumption by victims or survivors of alcohol-related violence, beyond those outlined in the general lower-risk guidelines.1
- Paradis, C., Butt, P., Shield, K., Poole, N., Wells, S., Naimi, T., Sherk, A., & the Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines Scientific Expert Panels. (2023). Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report. Ottawa, Ont.: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2023-01/CCSA_Canadas_Guidance_on_Alcohol_and_Health_Final_Report_en.pdf
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2024, March 25). Violence against women. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
This item was last modified on September 19, 2024