Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Sexual Assault
SAFETY ALERT:
Computer use can be monitored and it is impossible to completely clear all website footprints. If you are in danger, please use a safer computer that your abuser can not access directly or remotely, or contact the Sexual Violence Education and Support area of the Student Wellness Center (614-292-4527) and ask for an advocate. Or call the 24 Hour Helpline (614-267-7020), Ohio Domestic Violence Network (800-934-9840).
If you would like to speak with some one right away, please call the 24 Hour Helpline 614-267-7020. The data listed here are culled from a review of literature on alcohol & sexual assault. The focus of this review is the dynamic between a male perpetrator and a female victim. Although male on female assault is the most common, please recognize that sexual assault involving alcohol can occur between same-sex individuals, and, much less commonly, by women on men.
Alcohol is widely known to have an impact on mental and physical functioning in all individuals. Below will be an exploration of the pharmacological and psychological impact of alcohol on the mental and physical functioning of both men and women as it pertains to sexual assault. Thanks to Jessica Bennett and Student Judicial Affairs for putting together this information.
Alcohol & Sexual Assault in general
Alcohol & Sexual Assault in General
Alcohol consumption is sometimes done by both the perpetrator and the victim.
At least 80% of sexual assaults involve people who know each other.
Sexual assaults involving alcohol are more likely to involve men and women who do not know each other well (strangers, acquaintances, casual dates) and to occur at parties or in bars (rather than at someone's home) than sexual assaults that do not involve the use of alcohol.
Drinking is not an invitation to rape: http://www.thisisnotaninvitationtorapeme.co.uk/drinking/
Alcohol & The Individual
Alcohol plays a role in both the general characteristics of perpetrators and victims as well as the situational factors. The chart below details some of these factors
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FACTORS |
PERPETRATORS (Men) |
VICTIMS (Women) |
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General Factors |
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Situational Factors |
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Male Aggression & Alcohol
Alcohol has a pharmacological (chemical) impact on aggression in men - aggression increases as the amount of alcohol increases.
Alcohol intake disrupts higher order cognitive processes such as abstraction & problem solving.
Under the influence, an individual can only respond to obvious cues (often anger and frustration) while minimizing or ignoring inhibitive cues (such as future consequences or a sense of morality).
Thus, aggression will seem like the most reasonable response after alcohol intake.
Sexual Behavior & Alcohol
Men who believe they've consumed alcohol are more likely to show a subjective and physiological response to erotic material (featuring both consensual and forced sex), regardless of alcohol being consumed.
Pharmacologically, low to moderate amounts of alcohol use increases subjective sexual arousal, while high doses of alcohol use show decreases in physiological sexual responses.
What Does It All Mean?
Alcohol has impact on two major points in a sexual assault:
- The determination by the man of the female's consent or interest in sexual activity (ignoring/minimizing denial cues or misinterpreting friendly cues as sexual cues)
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The decision by a woman to take engage in riskier behavior - such as accepting a ride home from a man she does not know well or letting an intoxicated man into her home
Acquaintance rape while the individuals are on a date is marked by particular characteristics that are impacted by alcohol:
- A man may think of consensual sex as a possible outcome in a date situation.
- Men are socialized to use subtle cues to indicate intent, and women to use subtle cues when rejecting advances.
- Additionally, research shows that most people notice cues that reinforce beliefs or hypotheses, and minimize those that contradict.
- Alcohol additionally impairs the cognitive abilities that allow individuals to notice subtle cues.
Therefore, if a man hopes or wants to have sexual intercourse, and is consuming alcohol, he may misperceive the woman's intentions regarding intercourse. A woman who has consumed alcohol may also misjudge the man's intentions, if she believes she has already made her consent/lack of consent clear.
Acquaintance rape where individuals have just met or met by chance are marked by particular characteristics as well:
- Men may view women at a bar who drink to be sexual promiscuous, or as good targets for sexual assault.
- Men may drink intentionally to give themselves an excuse or permission for sexually aggressive behavior.
- Women whose cognitive ability has been impaired by alcohol may not be able to recognize the risk associated with certain situations or behaviors.
Alcohol cannot be said to cause sexual assault. It does, though, play a role in both general and situation factors that contribute to sexual assault. Obviously, not all men that drink will commit sexual assault, but it is clear that alcohol can play an aggravating role in sexual assault behaviors.
From: Abbey, Antonia, et al. (2001). Alcohol and Sexual Assault. Alcohol Health and Research World, 25 (1), online.