The Salvation Army says "Enough" to Alcohol Fuelled Violence

The Salvation Army is calling for urgent and definitive action to be taken by the Commonwealth and State Governments to curb the culture of binge-drinking and the alcohol fueled violence which follows, before further loss of life and personal injury is experienced by the community.

The Salvation Army's Clinical Director of Recovery Services, Gerard Byrne, says the loss of life due to alcohol-fueled violence in recent times is not only unacceptable but also indicative that the situation is out of control.

"Alcohol abuse is clearly at the root of the increase in violence on our streets... this has to stop" Mr Byrne said.

"We know that alcohol abuse is propped up through access to cheap alcohol, overly liberal opening hours of bars and clubs, marketing blitzes of alcohol products via all forms of media (including social media) and through the sponsorship of sporting and social events by the liquor industry."

The Salvation Army is calling on the Commonwealth and State and Governments to consider a range of approaches to curb binge-drinking and alcohol fueled violence. Such approaches include a review of the Crimes Act to address community concerns about the leniency of sentences for offenders of alcohol related violence, reduced density and number of liquor outlets, reduced trading hours, risk-based licensing system similar to those which have been implemented by local communities around Australia (e.g. Newcastle) as well as the regulation of alcohol advertising and alcohol sponsorship of sporting and social events.

In addition to legislative and regulatory changes, The Salvation Army also calls for the implementation of community and school based education programs with the aim of raising the awareness of all Australians to the danger that alcohol poses in relation to the social problems and violence it causes.

“The abuse of alcohol is out of control in our community and there is no doubt that there needs to be more done by all concerned if we are to reduce the occurrence of alcohol fuelled violence in the community,” said Mr Byrne.