Severity of violence against women by intimate partners and associated useof alcohol and/or illicit drugs by the perpetrator

One hundred eighty abused women presenting for protective orders or to file assault charges were interviewed. The Severity of Violence Against Women S cale measured threats of abuse and actual physical violence. A questionnair e measured stalking. Additionally the women were asked if the perpetrator w as drunk daily and/or used illicit drugs. Perpetrators were divided into fo ur groups: no alcohol or drug use (33%); alcohol only (19%); drugs only (18 %); and alcohol and drugs(30%). Using multivariate analysis and controlling for demographic variables, physical abuse was significantly (p =.005) high er for women with perpetrators who used drugs only (x = 60.4) compared with perpetrators who used alcohol only (x = 47.7). Stalking was significantly (p =.001) higher for perpetrators who used alcohol and drugs (x = 8.2) comp ared with perpetrators who did nor use alcohol or drugs (x = 5.6). To enabl e abused women to promote their safety, an understanding of the association between substance use and specific types of intimate partner violence is r equired.