SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

There are many connections between sexual assault and substance abuse. Although there are many causes of rape, at the societal and individual levels, alcohol may be a contributing factor in its occurrence. In many sexual assaults the perpetrator and/or victim may be using/abusing alcohol or drugs prior to the assault. For the perpetrator, being under the influence may remove both physical and psychological inhibitors which keep people from acting out violently. They may also use the alcohol or drugs as an excuse for criminal behavior. The use of alcohol and drugs also makes it much more difficult for the victim to stay away from dangerous situations and to problem-solve a way out of an assault. Many sexual assault perpetrators have admitted to feeding alcohol or drugs to their victims.

Being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is not an excuse for perpetrating sexual violence. It does not give someone a right to hurt other people. Victims who were under the influence of substances at the time of the assault are not responsible for the perpetrators' actions.

Many studies also document the high percentage of people who abuse substances who are victims/survivors of sexual violence. Many of these people report that drugs and alcohol helped them to "numb out" and push away the awful memories of sexual violence. Many of these survivors are not able to stay clean and sober until they have dealt with the sexual abuse issues.

HERE ARE THE FACTS:

26% of the men who acknowledged committing sexual assault on a date reported being intoxicated at the time of the assault. Another 29% reported being "mildly buzzed," for a total of 55% who were admittedly under the influence of alcohol. In the same study, 21% of the college women who experienced sexual aggression on a date were intoxicated at the time of the assault. Another 32% reported being "mildly buzzed," for a total of 53% who were under the influence of alcohol (Date Rape and Sexual Aggression in Dating Situations: Incidence and Risk Factors; Charlene L. Muehlenhard and Melanie A. Linton, Journal of Counseling Psychology, vol.34, no.2, 1987).

75% of men and 55% of women involved in acquaintance rapes reported using alcohol or other drugs prior to the incident (I Never Called It Rape, Robin Warshaw, NY: Harper & Row, 1988).

Author Peggy Reeves Sanday, in her book Fraternity Gang Rape, provides a link between alcohol use, peer support, rape myths, and sexual aggression on campus. She argues that alcohol is a tool that men in fraternitites are taught to use to "work a yes out" of unwilling women. (New York University Press, 1990).

Rape survivors are 3.4 times more likely than non-survivors to use marijuana, 6 times more likely to use cocaine, and 10 times more likely to use other hard drugs. Rape survivors are 5.3 times more likely than non-survivors to use prescription drugs for non-medical purposes (Rape in America: Report to the Nation, Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, National Victim Center, 1992).

The use of a date rape drug is on the rise. The drug is Rohypnol. It is a very potent tranquilizer which produces a sedative effect, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and a slowing of psychomotor responses. Sedation occurs 20-30 minutes after administration and lasts for several hours. The drug has been added to drinks at fraternity parties and college social gatherings, causing women to pass out and not remember what has occurred. As a result, many women are sexually assaulted and have no recollection (Emergency Net News, http://www.emergency.com/roofies.htm, 1996).

One study presented in the June 9, 1994 Duke University paper The Chronicle found that 90% of all campus rapes occurred when the victim, the assailant or both, were using alcohol (performed by the Commission on Substance Abuse at Colleges and Universitites of the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, Sexual Etiquette 101...and More. Robert A. Hatcher, et al., GA: Bridging the Gap Communications, 1995).

In a 1995 UW-Madison study, 15.3% of low incidents (unwanted kissing, or touching of breasts through clothing, or touching of genitals through clothing) occurred in a bar. 66% of low incidents and 61.7% of high incidents (forced oral sex or intercourse) happened during or following a party. 70.8% of respondents who had low incidents and 64.9% of respondents who had high incidents drank before the event (Crown, 1996).

This information sheet was revised in 1997 by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA). WCASA is a membership organization of sexual assault centers and other organizations and individuals throughout Wisconsin who are working to end sexual violence. For information sheets on additional topics or for membership information, contact WCASA, 123 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703 (608) 257-1516. For more information about sexual assault or to receive support around a sexual assault experience, contact your local sexual assault program. This sheet may be reproduced.