Alcohol And The Sexual Assault Of College Women

Rape due to intoxication is currently at the forefront of all issues facing college campuses across the United States. Because of the negative effects alcohol has on the human brain, it often plays a major role in the sexual assault of college women. In fact, a study conducted by Dr. Antonia Abbey found that “55% of the sexual assaults reported by college women involved alcohol consumption” (Abbey, 119). In ninety-seven percent of these assaults, both the victim and perpetrator were reported to be intoxicated. In addition, college women are significantly more likely to experience sexual assault than college men, whereas, college men are much more likely to be the perpetrators than the victims of assault. It is a harsh fact that most women will

Sex without consent defines rape and sexual assault. Alcohol impairs judgment, and intoxicated individuals are not in the right frame of mind to make decisions regarding sex and sexual contact. Dr. Abbey Antonia explains that, “Intoxication limits one’s ability to consider the long-term negative consequences of behavior because it limits one’s focus to short-term immediate cues” (Abbey, 122). In cases where both parties are intoxicated, alcohol often influences male perpetrators to feel less inhibited, more powerful, aggressive, and sexually aroused. Perpetrators feel comfortable raping a woman because intoxication from alcohol allows them to focus on their own sexual pleasure, while ignoring the victim’s refusal and pain. The effects of alcohol make it easier for perpetrators to ignore the word, “No,” and to force sex on an unconsenting partner. In addition, the effects of alcohol may cause males to misinterpret a woman’s politeness or friendliness as a sign of flirtation and sexual interest. “In the case of sexual assault, a man may feel his aggressiveness is justified if he believes his partner encouraged his sexual interest and that once led on, a man has a right to sex” (Abbey, 122). However, this is never the case. A woman’s behavior, dress, or alcohol consumption is never an indicator of sexual desire or

These drugs include Rohypnol, commonly known as “roofies,” Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate or GHB, and Ketamine, an anesthetic drug typically for veterinarian use. As date-rape drugs, these substances essentially “spike” the victim’s beverage as the perpetrator discreetly slips the drug of choice into the victim’s drink. Subsequently, it dissolves into the liquid and incapacitates the unsuspecting victim within minutes after consumption. At that point, the victim is unable to refuse sex or defend oneself. She will awaken hours later, feeling disoriented and having no memory of the time that passed while she was drugged. These types of date-rape drugs are very serious and typically indicate that the victim experienced rape while incapacitated. The victim should receive medical care right away and report the incident to local