CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Getting The Basics
2. Substance Abuse
3. Violence Against Women
4. Violent Men
5. Alcohol and Violence
6. Alcohol, Drugs and Sexual Assault (Date Rape)
7. Preventing Sexual Assault
8. After a Rape or Sexual Assault
9. Assistance - Women
10. Assistance - Men
11. Legal Options

Supplements
Resources
Glossary
Fact Sheets

It Won't Happen to Me:
Substance Abuse-Related Violence Against Women for Anyone Concerned About The Issues

Role of Alcohol in Sexual Assaults

The more alcohol there is on campus, the greater the risk to women.

Drinking has become a popular social activity. Often, it is seen as a way to set the mood for romance. However, alcohol use is the largest risk factor for sexual assault.

Alcohol clouds judgment and decreases motor skills. Thus, a woman who's had a few drinks may not make the best judgments. Nor can she fight off unwanted sexual advances or escape a difficult situation before it gets out of hand.⁶ Studies have found that when a woman drinks on a date, she has a greater chance of being sexually assaulted by the man.⁷

This is a problem at many schools. Alcohol often becomes the basis for social contact and is the focus of many parties. Women who drink or are around men who are drinking are at greater risk of being raped or sexually assaulted. In addition, the more alcohol there is on campus, the greater the risk to women.²

For example, one study found that men in fraternities are more likely to try to force a woman to have sex with them after drinking alcohol.⁸ They are also more likely to give alcohol to women because they think that women who drink are more willing to have sex. In one study, almost 20 percent of the men said they gave or encouraged the use of drugs or alcohol to obtain sex.⁸ Although not all members of fraternities use alcohol to get sex, women need to be cautious.

It can be seen, then, that drinking has become associated with a woman being available for sex. This belief may lead to sexual assault. A man who sees a woman who is drinking as sexually available may attempt unwanted sexual advances. These could lead to a series of misunderstandings ending in sexual assault.