St Vincent’s Welcomes Recognition of Domestic Violence as a Key Factor in Granting Licences

St Vincent’s Welcomes Recognition of Domestic Violence as a Key Factor in Granting Licences

02 Nov 2017

St Vincent’s Hospital has today welcomed the recommendation by the Domestic Violence Death Review Team to change the NSW liquor licensing system for granting bottle-shop, club and pub licenses.

Domestic Violence remains a major issue for the Australian community and there is clear evidence showing that accessibility to packaged liquor stores contribute significantly to alcohol harm in the domestic setting.

St Vincent’s is of the view that greater consideration needs to be given to the likelihood of increasing domestic violence when granting licenses for the sale of packaged alcohol. Consequently, it is incumbent upon the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority to give substantial consideration to domestic violence rates in that locality when presiding over a license application.

While there are a range of factors contributing to family violence – the role of alcohol can no longer be ignored.

 “If we as a community are serious about tackling domestic violence, then we must show appropriate discernment and take the evidence seriously when assessing bottle-shop trading licenses in order to reduce harms,” said A/Prof Nadine Ezard, St Vincent’s Clinical Director of Alcohol & Drug Services.

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