Alcohol-related violence occurs in a range of different places
where alcohol is consumed including licensed venues, private
settings and in public places such as parks, streets and beaches.
Violence can be classified as aggressive behaviour that may
be physically or verbally abusive. The aggressive behaviour
can be conducted by an individual or group against another,
or others.
Physically abusive behaviour can involve pushing, shoving,
shaking, punching, kicking, squeezing, burning or any other
form of physical assault on a person(s). Any of the above
behaviours are a criminal offence (assault).
Verbally abusive behaviour can include verbal attacks, threats,
taunts, slagging, mocking, yelling, exclusion, and malicious
rumours towards a person(s).
How you or your community decides to address alcohol-related
violence will depend on the extent to which the alcohol consumption
and violence is taking place, and whether the problem is a
recurring incident or happens in association with a particular
occasion.
Before you make a complaint against people or licensed venues
in your community make sure you have all the facts. The following
checklist of questions can be used to gather information.
It is a guide only and you must not take the law into your
own hands, as you may be the one who ends up in trouble with
the authorities.
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| Why do you think the incident was
alcohol-related? |
| Where did the incident occur? In front
of your house, next door, down the street or at a licensed
venue? |
| How many people were involved? More
than two people? A group? |
| Was it a ‘one-off’ incident?
If not, how often does it occur? |
| What time did the incident occur? |
| Were weapons used? If so what kind? |
| Was there any injury as a result? |
| Are there any other witnesses or
evidence to support your complaint? |
| Remember
to take a full description of the incident |
Once you have gathered your information, there are
a number of approaches you can take.
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