Where to next? An exploration of ‘night-out’ location progression and propensity to experience violence in night -time entertainment precincts

Background: Alcohol related violence in night-time entertainment precincts (NEPs) is a significant public health concern. Studies suggest characteristics including venue density, bar hopping and permissive social norms facilitate violence in NEPs. Yet, we have a limited understanding of how individual drinking occasions progress within NEPs and how location sequence is associated with the propensity to experience violence in these spaces. Methods: In this study we apply sequence analysis and logistic regression to examine the association between location sequences and experiences of violence among a sample of NEP patrons (N=387). Results: We find that individuals who stay out longer and visit a greater number of unique location types are more likely to experience a violent event. We also find that attending a ‘non-venue’ pre-event such as a private party, gathering, sporting or celebratory event, is associated with elevated risk experiencing violence during a night out. Conclusion: The findings offer important insights into the dynamic context in which risky drinking occasions may emerge and suggest that the context and location in which pre-drinking occurs should be considered in future research.