Alcohol-Serving Venues in South Africa as Sites of Risk and Potential Protection for Violence Against Women

Abstract

This qualitative study explores alcohol-serving venues as sites of risk or protection from violence against women (VAW) in one South African community. In 2010, we conducted in-depth interviews with 31 female patrons, 13 male patrons and 11 venue staff, and conducted structured observations in six alcohol venues. VAW was a common experience and venues contributed to risk through aggression, negative attitudes towards women, risks leaving the venues, and owners tolerating VAW. Concurrently, venues offered potential to avoid VAW through perceived safety and owner protection. Results highlight the influence of the venue environment and importance of addressing the setting of alcohol consumption.

“Wine you get every day, but a child you can't replace”: The perceived impact of parental drinking on child outcomes in a South African township

“…This qualitative study was part of a larger mixed-methods study on alcohol use, gender and risk outcomes in alcohol-serving venues (Choi et al 2013; Sikkema et al 2011; Watt et al 2012) that was conducted in Delft, a township located on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. Delft was established in 1990 by the government as a subsidized housing community for residents of both Black African (typically Xhosa-speaking) and Coloured (a South African ethnic group of mixed ancestry; typically Afrikaans-speaking) ethnicities.…”

HIV-Risk Behaviors and Social Support Among Men and Women Attending Alcohol-Serving Venues in South Africa: Implications for HIV Prevention

“…Individuals who meet sex partners at venues have a higher risk of HIV acquisition than patrons who meet sex partners elsewhere (22). Venue attendance has been associated with increased risk of perpetrating or experiencing physical and sexual violence, greater number of sex partners, and higher rates of unprotected vaginal intercourse (13,23,24). …”

“…Although women are vulnerable to physical and sexual violence in alcohol-serving venues, some report feeling more empowered and safer in the venues than at home (24). Both men and women report visiting venues in order to bond with their peers and relax (18,25), and women may frequent the venues to escape stressors of their home lives (25-27).…”

“…Both men and women report visiting venues in order to bond with their peers and relax (18,25), and women may frequent the venues to escape stressors of their home lives (25-27). The potential for safety, support, and community among venue patrons could serve an important protective role for patrons (24). Social support and community cohesion have been linked to reduced alcohol use and victimization (28), and increased resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms among persons living with HIV (29).…”

HIV/AIDS-related stigma in South African alcohol-serving venues and its potential impact on HIV disclosure, testing and treatment-seeking behaviours

“…Qualitative research has found that men and women frequent shebeens for social interactions, and women in particular regard the venues as places for them to bond with peers and escape home stressors (Choi et al, 2013; Watt, Aunon, Skinner, Sikkema, MacFarlane, et al, 2012). The venues also serve as social arenas for individuals to meet sexual partners (Weir, Morroni, Coetzee, Spencer, & Boerma, 2002) and our previous research has demonstrated that unprotected sex (Sikkema et al, 2011), transactional sex (including the exchange of sex for alcohol) (Watt, Aunon, Skinner, Sikkema, Kalichman, et al, 2012), and gender-based violence (Watt, Aunon, Skinner, Sikkema, MacFarlane, et al, 2012) frequently occur in these venues. These findings demonstrate both the importance of venues as social settings and the vulnerability of patrons to HIV acquisition.…”