NCJ Number
206869
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2004 Pages: 271-303
Date Published
2004
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews what is known about alcohol's role in sexual assault and what types of research are needed to guide prevention efforts.
Abstract
Although this review focuses on alcohol-involved sexual assault, the findings are presented in the context of general information about sexual assault. This is because the distinctive characteristics of alcohol-involved sexual assaults cannot be determined without contrasting them with other sexual assaults. After describing definitions and prevalence rates, complementary models of alcohol's role in sexual assault are considered. "Sexual assault," as used in this review is an inclusive term that describes the full range of forced sexual acts, including physically forced kissing or touching; verbally coerced sexual intercourse; and physically forced vaginal, oral, and anal penetration. The review focuses on female victims and male perpetrators. The review indicates that researchers have consistently found that approximately half of all sexual assaults are committed by a man who has been drinking alcoholic beverages. Similarly, about half of all sexual assault victims report that they were drinking alcoholic beverages during a period just prior to the sexual assault. Research has typically collected data on who was drinking near the time of the sexual assault, without reference to how much they drank or how intoxicated they were. Suggestions for future research focus on surveys of perpetrators and victims of sexual assault as well as alcohol administration research. 3 tables and 50 references