Alcohol plays a distal role in sexual assault. According to a study, only one in five female sexual assault survivors go to a victim counseling center for help. Furthermore, parties and drinking are common locations for sexual assaults. The presence of alcohol may make sexual assaults more likely and increase men’s aggression.
Study shows only one in five female survivors gets help from a victim counseling center
One in five women and one in 71 men have been raped at some point in their lives. Rape is defined as forced sexual penetration by an individual who has gained control of another person through force or influence. Most women report being raped by a partner or a stranger, and more than half of men report being raped by an acquaintance.
During the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault, it is important to get emergency medical care. This is typically provided by a doctor or by a sexual assault nurse examiner, a certified professional who documents the details of the attack and collects evidence. Depending on the circumstances of the victim, a nurse examiner may also recommend treatment for STIs or pregnancy prevention. The nurse examiner may also be asked to testify in court, if necessary.
Men are more aggressive
Sexual assault is a serious issue on college campuses. According to the National Network on Rape, one in every six women will be raped at some point in their lives. College students are especially vulnerable to sexual assault. There are a number of factors that increase the risk of assault, including alcohol consumption.
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of sexual assault by about two-thirds in men. According to a study, more men commit sexual assaults when they consume alcohol. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was also higher among perpetrators than victims. Approximately 60 to 65 percent of perpetrators reported having consumed alcohol during an assault, compared to 30 to 55 percent among victims. Alcohol consumption may increase the likelihood of sexual assaults, but it is not a direct cause of sexual violence.
Alcohol intake and impulsivity are associated with an increased risk of sexual assault. Those who have lower alcohol consumption are less likely to commit sexual assaults. They also report lower rates of hostility and impulsivity toward women. In addition, men who engage in more sexual assaults report higher rates of pornography use and peer support for forced sex.
Alcohol is a distal factor in sexual assaults
Alcohol is the most common drug consumed by victims of sexual assaults in college. Moreover, almost 75 percent of men and 54 percent of women who are raped in their circle of acquaintances are drinking before the incident. Additionally, victims of sexual assaults often use drugs or alcohol to cope with the intense emotional response that follows the incident. Both alcohol and drugs impair judgment, motor movement, and thinking. These impairments make victims unable to take action during an assault.
The use of alcohol on college campuses has been linked to an increased risk of sexual assaults. However, it is unclear whether alcohol consumption is the only factor contributing to an increase in these attacks. Studies have shown that the quantity of alcohol consumed during drinking days in high school is also a risk factor.
Parties are a common site
Alcohol is implicated in many of the sexual assaults committed on college campuses. A recent poll by the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that women who drank heavily were twice as likely to be assaulted as women who drank lightly or not at all. This finding reveals that the party culture on college campuses is a significant contributor to the increase in sexual assaults.
Most of these crimes are committed at parties where underage people have been drinking heavily. This makes adjudication of sexual assaults more difficult. Therefore, college campuses need to improve alcohol education and treatment programs. Many college administrators agree with lowering the drinking age to 18 for underage guests. Furthermore, adults who were present at an underage drinking party may be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Date rape is a form of acquaintance rape
Date rape is a common occurrence that can happen to anyone. In fact, 73 percent of rape victims are already acquainted with the perpetrator. The perpetrator of date rape often takes advantage of a victim’s trust in a person they are familiar with. To learn more about date rape, visit RAINN.
In addition to the psychological consequences, date rape can also lead to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition defines PTSD as symptoms that arise after exposure to a major traumatic event. Symptoms must be related to the actual experience of the traumatic event, and must include a significant threat to the victim’s physical integrity.
Date rape is a type of acquaintance rape, which involves an act of coercion that forces an individual to engage in sex against their will. This can be physical, verbal, or emotional. This type of rape is most common among girls between the ages of twelve and twenty-four. In fact, it’s estimated that one in five girls will be raped by the time they reach their mid-twenties.