How can we use realist evaluation to better inform research into alcohol-related assaults in night-time economies? A case study using CCTV

Abstract

The problem of alcohol-related assaults (ARAs) in night-time economy (NTE) precincts is an ongoing issue of policy concern and research interest. One punch truly can kill. This thesis examines the feasibility of a multi-agency linking method to more accurately count these kinds of assaults in close to real-time in order to inform suitable responses by Queensland liquor accords. This can provide more timely evidence to evaluate interventions. This thesis was the first Australian research to achieve this. The Cairns Hospital Emergency Department, the Queensland Police Service and the Cairns Regional Council Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system are capable of providing relevant data regularly. Venues can provide relevant data but capacity to do so regularly is limited. Results support previous research regarding prevalence and time of occurrence of NTE ARAs. The thesis also uses Realist Evaluation to examine how an urban, open-space CCTV system responds to, and reduces, these NTE ARAs. The realist evaluation approach explains why quasi-experimental studies have found CCTV has no effect on this type of offence, but practitioners see CCTV as vital. The thesis shows why the theory of deterrence through CCTV does not apply to NTE ARAs. Conflicting empirical results regarding the efficacy of CCTV in broader crime reduction are explained. A case study analysis of CCTV to address NTE ARAs identifies initial context-mechanism-outcome configurations. The thesis provides evidence that suggests realist evaluation is an appropriate approach to address ongoing methodological problems in studying ways to reduce NTE ARAs.