National organisations working to end violence against women - Our Watch and No to Violence - are warning that women may face increased risks of violence during the festive season.
The two organisations are calling on men concerned about their behaviour to seek help and for efforts in primary prevention of both violence and substance abuse to be stepped up.
Across the past eight years, NSW police have responded to more family and domestic violence assault incidents on News Years Day than any other day of the year. Similar spikes have been reported by police across the country.
Alcohol and drug use typically rise over the Christmas/New Year period, with both known to increase the severity and frequency of men’s violence against women.
Heavy drinking by men who already hold harmful ideas about women and relationships can create a volatile mix where alcohol can weaken men’s empathy, care and respect for those around them, particularly women.
No to Violence CEO Phillip Ripper is asking men who use violence to seek help this festive season.
“The greatest gift you can give someone you care about this Christmas is love and respect, which means seeking help if you use violence or have a drinking or drug problem.”
“The festive season is about giving, spending time with family and making memories, but for too many women and children – the men in their lives choose to make this period one of heightened fear and violence.”
More than 43% of women who experience violence report that alcohol is a contributing factor in physical or sexual violence. In 43% of NSW homicides, the perpetrator had a history of alcohol abuse.*
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said the combination of alcohol and some men’s support for harmful gender stereotypes, sexism and disrespect towards women, needed to be addressed.
“Research shows that men who support rigid ideas about men needing to be in control, assertive and aggressive are far more likely to use violence against women, and they are also more likely to frequently consume alcohol and have a gambling problem.**
“We know alcohol can be a factor, but violence is always a choice. We see this when men choose not to be violent at a party with their mates but go home and harm their partners and children in private.”
Ms Kinnersly said efforts needed to be stepped up for primary prevention of violence, and alcohol use.
“There is no one solution to stopping men who choose to use violence. We need to challenge harmful stereotypes about male drinking cultures and men needing to be aggressive and in control. We need to improve alcohol regulation in ways that help change the relationship between alcohol, masculine stereotypes and violence. And we need to address sexism and disrespect for women throughout our society that allows men’s violence against women to thrive."
Mr Ripper said, “Men using violence and abuse need to take responsibility for their actions and not blame any other factors. There is simply no excuse for violence and no excuse for not reaching out to the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 to get the support you need to address you own behaviour.”
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Ends
So far 78 women have been allegedly killed in men’s violence, around 20 more than all of 2023 and the worst year for deaths since 2015.
*The Personal Safety Survey found that Australian women who reported experiencing violence said alcohol was a contributing factor in 43% of physical violence or 47% of sexual violence experiences (2021-22). In 2024, data from the NSW Domestic Violence Death review team found that 43% of male intimate partner homicide offenders had a known history of problematic alcohol use.
**The Man Box study found that Australian men aged 18-30 who supported rigid ideals of masculinity were 17 times more likely to have hit a partner, almost twice as likely to problem drink and six times more likely to problem gamble.
Media Contact
Please contact [email protected] or 0448 844 930
*If you cover this story, or any story regarding violence against women and children,
please include the following tagline:
‘If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
“If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
“For confidential support for people struggling with addiction call the Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 250 015.”
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access support through 13YARN.”
To access guides for reporting about violence against women and their children, visit Media Making Change.
About us:
Our Watch
Our Watch is a national leader in Australia’s work to stop violence against women and their children before it starts. The organisation was created to drive nation-wide change in the practices, norms, and structures that lead to violence against women and children.