Victims

The 2001 British Crime Survey indicates that:

• Young males (16-24), are the highest risk group for violent crime.

• All people living in inner-city areas and council estates are also at high risk.

The British Crime Survey 2000 indicated that:

• 53% of victims of stranger violence believed the offender was under the influence of alcohol as did 36% of victims of acquaintance violence.

• 44% of victims of domestic violence believed their attackers were under the influence of alcohol;

• Publicans and bar staff are at relatively high risk of being assaulted or threatened while at work.

One particular focus is to examine the nature and extent of facial injuries as a result of violence:

• over 125,000 individuals are estimated to have suffered in this way in 1997.

• in over 60% of the incidents the victim had been drinking.

• over half of the facial injuries sustained by young people were as the result of assaults

• over half of all facial injuries to women occurred in the home and in almost half of these cases, alcohol was a contributory factor

(Magennis et al 1998)

Alcohol Concern reports that women who drink heavily are more likely to be assaulted but most domestic violence is directed at women who do not have alcohol problems. However, abused women often develop alcohol problems as a consequence of violence.www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

Alcohol consumption increases the vulnerability of the individual to assault., Beer glasses are frequently used as a weapon with around 5,000 such offences recorded each year.(Shepherd et al 1990)