Examining the Role of Alcohol Policies in Preventing Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence

Introduction:Intimate partner and sexual violence (IPV/SV) represent significant public health problems worldwide, with serious consequences for individuals and communities. The implementation of prevention strategies that address risk and protective factors for IPV/SV at the community level are important components of a comprehensive approach, but few such strategies have been identified or evaluated. Because alcohol represents an important risk factor for IPV/SV, interventions and policies aimed at decreasing problem drinking may also lead to reductions in IPV/SV. The current review examines the strength of evidence and emerging science on alcohol policy and its relationship to IPV/SV outcomes as one potential opportunity for prevention at the community level.

Method:Electronic databases were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed journal articles on alcohol policies and IPV/SV, as well as reference sections of appropriate articles. Policies affecting alcohol pricing, sale time, outlet density, drinking environment, alcohol marketing, and college-specific policies were reviewed to identify existing evidence of impact on rates of IPV/SV or related outcomes, including risk factors and related health behaviors.

Results:Several policy areas with initial evidence of an association with IPV/SV outcomes were identified, including policies affecting alcohol pricing, alcohol outlet density, barroom management, sexist content in alcohol marketing, and bans of alcohol on campus and in substance-free dorms. We identify other policy areas with evidence of an impact on related outcomes and risk factors that may also hold potential as a preventative approach for IPV/SV perpetration.

Conclusions:Findings from the current review suggest that alcohol policies such as pricing strategies, outlet density, and college policies represent areas with encouraging evidence for the prevention of sexual violence that may be ripe for future evaluation. However, knowledge about the impact of alcohol-related policies on IPV/SV is limited by several significant research gaps. Limitations of existing evidence and implications for future prevention research will be discussed.