What Percentage Of College Sexual Assaults Involve Alcohol

College is frequently the first setting where young people have the opportunity to truly experiment with alcohol and sex, which may frequently result in situations that are improper and even harmful for young men and women.

Alcohol is often used to facilitate the full range of sexual assault and rape on campus, whether it’s because the victim is drunk and is taken advantage of, or because a spiked drink or “date rape drug” has been purposely used to create a situation where the intended victim of an assault is vulnerable or unable to defend themselves. Come along as we explore the topic: “What Percentage Of College Sexual Assaults Involve Alcohol.”

What Percentage Of College Sexual Assaults Involve Alcohol

According to research, between 20 and 25 percent of women will be sexually assaulted during their time in college, and at least 50 percent of these incidents involve binge drinking.

Furthermore, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), 75% of rapes in sexual assaults in college involve intoxicated victims. According to their research, students who reside on campus have a higher likelihood of being victims of forced sexual activity than students who live off campus.

In college, students have more freedom and independence than they are accustomed to once they reach legal drinking age. Any college campus can have a very intense and vibrant party scene, with a lot of alcohol used.

Sexual Assault and Alcohol

The effects of alcohol on perceptions and behaviors related to sex are still being investigated. Even though alcohol does not directly cause sexual assault, it has been discovered to be one of the major risk factors for sexual violence.

Excessive alcohol use increases the likelihood of sexual assault. Alcohol contains a molecule called ethanol, which has negative effects on the parts of the brain that regulate aggressive and sexual behavior.  Alcohol use may heighten feelings of emotional instability, sexual desire, and aggression.

In a case of sexual assault, it is the offender—not the victim—who should be held accountable for their aggressive sexual behavior. The majority of sexual assaults are committed by individuals who, after drinking, feel more aggressive and strong.

Statistics on Campus Sexual Assault and Alcohol

Many individuals are ignorant of the frequency of rape and sexual assault on campuses, let alone the amount of alcohol that is consumed during these incidents. The following data and figures, provided by the magazine Campus Safety, demonstrate the frequency of rape and sexual assault on college and university campuses:

• About 20–25 percent of women will be sexually assaulted in college.
• Males commit sexual assault at a rate of about 99 percent.
• Students in sorority houses and on-campus housing are more likely to be victims of sexual assault than those living off campus.
• Male college athletes in aggressive sports were shown to be more likely to use sexual coercion and to demonstrate sexism, acceptance of violence, and hostility toward women.

The Prevalence of Alcohol in Sexual Assaults

In addition, the data below shows how often alcohol use is in certain kinds of sexual assaults:

• At least 50 percent of student sexual assaults involve alcohol.
• Approximately 90 percent of rapes perpetrated by an acquaintance of the victim involve alcohol.
• About 43 percent of sexual assault events involve alcohol use by the victim; 69 percent involve alcohol use by the perpetrator.
• Thirty percent of sexual assaults involve an inebriated perpetrator.

Campus Party Life and Alcohol

It’s common knowledge that college is a time when students can party as much as they want. This stereotype is reinforced by films and television shows, yet it is also true. On any campus, the party atmosphere can be lively, vibrant, and heavily alcohol-focused during this period when students are living with much less supervision than they are used to and are first granted the legal right to drink.

This environment is influenced by fraternities and sororities; among Greek system students, over 50% report heavy drinking, compared to only 35% of other students.

Drinking Pressure from Peers

It goes without saying that women also consume large amounts of alcohol while in college, showing a similar desire to broaden their horizons as males do when they live alone for the first time. Because of this, there is a lot of peer pressure on college students to drink, which puts women in circumstances where they may drink more than they plan to and leave them open to abuse.

Preventing Sexual Assaults on College Campuses

Take into consideration the following advice to lower your risk of various crimes, such as sexual assault, and to protect your friends in public:

• Locate campus resources such as the campus health center, campus police station, security escorts, emergency phones, psychological services, and local sexual assault services.
• Be aware of your surroundings when moving around campus or in the surrounding neighborhood.
• Be careful about sharing your location on social media platforms.
• Think of backup plans for possible risky situations.
• Be cautious by locking your door and windows while you sleep and when you leave your room.
• When attending a party, go with people you trust, agree to watch out for each other, and plan to leave together. If plans change, make sure to contact other people in your group.
• Don’t leave your drink unattended, and watch out for your friends’ drinks if possible.
• Know your alcohol limits by keeping track of how many drinks you’ve had.
• If you want to get out of a situation immediately and are concerned about alarming or offending someone, make up an excuse.
• Look after your friends, and if something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. You can create a distraction or ask directly. You can also create an excuse to help a friend leave a situation that you think may not be safe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if binge drinking or alcohol addiction is a concern, seeking professional help is essential. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, it’s crucial to seek help. Reporting the incident is vital, but emotional support from groups and advocates is equally important. Providing easily accessible resources for students who seek help with alcohol-related issues can play a crucial role in early intervention and support.  Remember, seeking assistance or guidance is a sign of strength, and your well-being is a priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why might alcohol increase the likelihood of sexual assaults?

Research indicates that alcohol use by both the offender and the victim raises the possibility of an acquaintance sexual assault through several different channels. This has to do with how drinking affects mental, physical, and psychological processes that lead to sexual assault. Alcohol also lessens the sense of danger that could alert a student to the possibility of an attack.

2. Why is alcohol used so often by perpetrators to commit sexual assault?

Alcohol acts at two distinct points during the interaction between the perpetrator and the victim to increase the likelihood of sexual assault.

 3. What college has the most reported sexual assaults?

For small colleges, Reed University led in reporting rates, while Brandeis led in reporting rates for medium-sized colleges. When it came to large colleges, the University of New Hampshire took the lead in reporting rates.