New legislation has banned 24/7 alcohol delivery in South Australia to reduce alcohol-related domestic and family violence. However, experts say this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the relationship between alcohol and abuse. (Image: Bayley Fitzpatrick)

By Bayley Fitzpatrick | @bayley.fitzpatrick

South Australia has passed landmark legislation banning 24/7 alcohol delivery to address domestic and family violence, but experts say alcohol’s role in abuse is dangerously misunderstood.

The Malinauskas government revealed a five-year implementation plan last month based on recommendations by the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. 

The first successful reform of the plan restricts alcohol delivery to between 10am and 10pm and introduces a two-hour “safety pause” on every order.

But Arman Abrahimzadeh, an Adelaide City councillor who advised the Royal Commission, says the relationship between alcohol and abuse is more complicated than simple cause-and-effect.

“One of the myths that is sometimes put out there is that there are substances, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, that cause family and domestic violence, and that’s not the case,” Abrahimzadeh says.

The phrase “alcohol fuelled” is commonly used in the media to describe abusive behaviour linked to alcohol consumption. 

But Dr Kate Seymour, a criminologist and domestic and family violence researcher at Flinders University, says it’s inappropriate and outdated terminology.

“[It] gives the impression that… without the alcohol, the domestic violence wouldn’t have happened, and that isn’t what the evidence shows us,” Seymour says.

The Royal Commission found that alcohol is involved in roughly a third of intimate partner violence incidents nationally.

Both experts agree that while alcohol impairs impulse control and can intensify aggression in those who are already prone, it does not cause it. 

“When you have a relationship that is abusive… the minute you introduce any sort of substance in that sort of relationship, particularly to the perpetrator, you do see the levels of violence and abuse escalate,” Abrahimzadeh says.

Restricting the available hours of alcohol delivery is a strategy aiming to limit a perpetrator’s access when violence is most likely.

“Domestic and family violence are much more likely to occur in the 6pm to 3am period, and particularly [between] midnight and 3am,” Seymour says.

The two-hour delay between purchase and delivery interrupts impulsive drinking behaviour and helps prevent the potential harms of rapid, excessive alcohol consumption.

Both Abrahimzadeh and Seymour say restricted alcohol access could escalate abusive behaviour in the short term for some perpetrators, but the impact of continued drinking is often more severe.

Seymour also says it’s counterintuitive to discredit the restrictions on alcohol delivery based on their potential for short-term aggravation.

“There’s an infinite number of potential things that may trigger [perpetrators]… continuing to drink and get drunker and drunker is likely to lead to more serious domestic and family violence,” she said.

While restricting alcohol delivery is a positive start, both experts identified gaps in the plan.

Abrahimzadeh said he is concerned about who will hold the government accountable in upholding the implementation plan.

 “You don’t release a five-year plan and wash your hands off of it and say we’re done,” he said.

It remains to be seen how the government will evaluate the implementation plan’s success moving forward.

Dr Seymour cited emerging research that shows areas with a high density of licensed premises have an increased rate of domestic and family violence.

However, there are no further changes to alcohol regulation proposed in the plan that could address this.

She also says she’s disappointed that the need for “focused, targeted services for perpetrators of violence” was largely overlooked by the Royal Commission. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, contact: 

1800 RESPECT

For counselling, advice and support for men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, call: 

Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491.