• The Department of Justice found in 2002 that 36% of victims in domestic violence programs also had problems with substance abuse. According to a significant majority of domestic violence program directors (51%), a woman’s use of alcohol can be a barrier to her being able to leave a violent relationship with a spouse or partner. In fact, an even greater percentage (87%) of domestic violence program directors agree with the statement that the risk of intimate partner violence increases when both partners abuse drugs or alcohol.