Statistics
- Approximately 50% of college women have been sexually assaulted and 27% have experienced
rape or attempted rape
- 25% of college men have committed sexual assault, and 8% have committed rape or attempted
rape Alcohol is the most commonly used date-rape drug - approximately one-half of
all sexual assaults are committed by men who have been drinking alcohol, with estimates
for alcohol use among perpetrators ranging from 34 to 74%
- Approximately one-half of all sexual assault victims report that they were drinking
alcohol at the time of the assault, with estimates ranging from 30 to 79% - this is
not to say that victims are to blame for the assault, as it is NEVER the victim’s
fault. Perpetrators are still legally and morally responsible for their behavior.
- Alcohol consumption by perpetrators and victims tend to co-occur – studies show that
in anywhere from 81% to 97% of alcohol-related sexual assaults, both the victim and
perpetrator had consumed alcohol.
- Approximately 90% of sexual assaults reported by college women are perpetrated by
someone the victim knows, with half occurring on a date
Relationship between alcohol use and sexual assault perpetration
- Men who often drink heavily typically do so in social situations that frequently lead
to sexual assault (parties, bars, etc.)
- Perpetrators often use alcohol to excuse sexual assault perpetration
- Date rapists frequently report getting a woman drunk in order to have sex with her
- Certain personality characteristics, including impulsivity and antisocial behavior,
as well as peer group norms (especially those that normalize the sexual exploitation
of women) may increase men’s propensity both to drink heavily and to commit sexual
assault
- Studies have shown that college men who are drinking often misperceive their dates’
friendly behavior as sexual and are therefore more likely to commit sexual assault.
- Men who are drinking are more likely to behave aggressively, especially if they believe
they have been provoked, and once they respond to the provocation, it is difficult
for intoxicated men to stop. Therefore, men who are intoxicated and believe they
have been ‘led on’ by a date are more likely to act out violently, which includes
sexual assault, without thinking of the long-term consequences of their actions.
Relationship between gender and social norms and sexual assault perpetration
- Men are socialized to initiate dating and sex, with the first move being subtle in
order to avoid embarrassment associated with rejection. Because of the vagueness
of these cues from both partners, miscommunication often occurs. Add alcohol to the
mix and as stated above, men may mistake their partners’ friendly cues as a desire
to have sex.
- Women are socialized to be polite and indirect, especially regarding sexual communication,
which often makes it difficult to directly confront a partner.
- Sexual assault perpetrators are also more likely to:
- endorse traditional gender stereotypes which include the belief that men are responsible
for initiating sex and women are responsible for setting the limits
- endorse statements that justify rape, for example, “’No’ means ‘yes’” and “women enjoy
forced sex”
- hold adversarial beliefs about relationships between men and women and to consider
the use of force in interpersonal relationships acceptable
- It is important to note that although literature on sexual assault and intimate partner
violence frequently characterizes men as perpetrators and women as victims, we are
aware that most men do not rape and that they are victims too. We also recognize
that these types of violence occur in same-sex relationships.
This information was retrieved from Alcohol and Sexual Assault.
