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. 2001;25(1):43-51.

Alcohol and sexual assault

A Abbey  1 , T Zawacki, P O Buck, A M Clinton, P McAuslan
Affiliations

Alcohol and sexual assault

A Abbey et al. Alcohol Res Health. 2001.

Abstract

Conservative estimates of sexual assault prevalence suggest that 25 percent of American women have experienced sexual assault, including rape. Approximately one-half of those cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim, or both. Alcohol contributes to sexual assault through multiple pathways, often exacerbating existing risk factors. Beliefs about alcohol's effects on sexual and aggressive behavior, stereotypes about drinking women, and alcohol's effects on cognitive and motor skills contribute to alcohol-involved sexual assault. Despite advances in researchers' understanding of the relationships between alcohol consumption and sexual assault, many questions still need to be addressed in future studies.

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References

    1. Abbey A, Ross LT, McDuffie D. Alcohol’s role in sexual assault. In: Watson RR, editor. Drug and Alcohol Abuse Reviews: Volume 5 Addictive Behaviors in Women. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 1994. pp. 97–123.
    1. Abbey A, Ross LT, McDuffie D, McAuslan P. Alcohol and dating risk factors for sexual assault among college women. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 1996a;20:147–169.
    1. Abbey A, Ross LT, McDuffie D, McAuslan P. Alcohol, misperception, and sexual assault: How and why are they linked? In: Buss DM, Malamuth N, editors. Sex, Power, Conflict: Evolutionary and Feminist Perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press; 1996b. pp. 138–161.
    1. Abbey A, McAuslan P, Ross LT. Sexual assault perpetration by college men: The role of alcohol, misperception of sexual intent, and sexual beliefs and experiences. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 1998;17:167–195.
    1. Collins JJ, Messerschmidt PM. Epidemiology of alcohol-related violence. Alcohol Health & Research World. 1993;17:93–100.

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