The study asserts that “what is condoned when one is intoxicated spreads over to being a norm when sober. When a father’s alcohol abuse leads to a lack of care for the children, it is often considered more of an unfortunate circumstance rather than an issue that demands more and attention. Women abused bywhen their one intoxicated husbands are common, Theconcern study asserts that “what is condoned is intoxicated spreads over tohowever being athe norm general consensus is that this is due to fate or an “accident” related to alcohol. The consent when sober. When a father’s alcohol abuse leads to a lack of care for the children, it is of often misbehaviour the unfortunate influence of alcohol leads therefore the an disruption of norms. Alcohol considered moreunder of an circumstance rather to than issue that demands more consumption affects behavioural patterns and cultural norms making violent behaviour while concern and attention. Women abused by their intoxicated husbands are common, however the intoxicated acceptable”. general consensus is that this is due to fate or an “accident” related to alcohol. The consent of misbehaviour under the that influence of alcohol to the disruption of norms. 1 Further studies show “domestic violenceleads and therefore gender based violence was almost takenAlcohol for consumption affects behavioural patterns and cultural norms making violent behaviour while granted in nearly all settings as an ‘automatic' consequence of alcohol use. Deprivation of the intoxicated acceptable”. needs of children due to the father's heavy alcohol use was regarded simply as a misfortune of the children concerned, and not a matter for special concern or mention. Women being abused 1 Further that husbands “domesticwas violence gender based was almost in thestudies home byshow ‘drunken' known, and and even heard, butviolence it was accepted as fatetaken or as for granted in nearly all settings as an ‘automatic' consequence of alcohol use. Deprivation of the an evil caused by alcohol”. needs of children due to the father's heavy alcohol use was regarded simply as a misfortune of servicefor providers not identify alcoholism a primary the However children information concerned, recorded and not by a matter special2 does concern or mention. Womenasbeing abused cause of domestic violence in particular and gender based violence general. Alcoholism is as in the home by ‘drunken' husbands was known, and even heard, but itinwas accepted as fate or recorded, as shown by the above studies, as an excuse to perpetuate acts of violence against an evil caused by alcohol”. women. It is argued that the indemnity offered by law where intoxication brings in mitigatory sentences for grave offences this myth. However information recordedadds by to service providers2 does not identify alcoholism as a primary cause of domestic violence in particular and gender based violence in general. Alcoholism is recorded, as shown by the above studies, as an excuse to perpetuate acts of violence against women. It is argued that the indemnity offered by law where intoxication brings in mitigatory sentences for grave offences adds to this myth. 1 Baklien, B. and Samarasinghe, D. (2003-2007). Alcohol & Poverty. Alcohol and Drug Information Centre. Colombo 2 Discussions with Women In Need. Colombo. (2008) 92