Central Connecticut State University

CCSU Counseling and Wellness Center
205 Marcus White Hall

        
                   
 
 

 


The Link Between Alcohol and Sexual Assault

                     
      This information was obtained from the website of
                                              George Mason University:
                   http://www.gmu.edu/facstaff/sexual/alcohol.html (External Site)

Top Ten Facts About Sexual Assault and Alcohol

 

10.

 At least 80% of college students who had unwanted sex were under
  the influence of alcohol.
(Core Institute, University of Southern Illinois, 1995)

9.

 Men are more likely than women to assume that a woman who drinks alcohol on a date is a willing sex partner. 40% of men who think this way also believe it is acceptable to force sex on an intoxicated woman. (Journal of American College Health, 1991)

8.

 47% of college women in Virginia who were raped believe they were unable to effectively resist as a result of their own alcohol use. (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 1995)

7.

 Alcohol use can contribute to an atmosphere where anything goes, including rape by individuals or groups of men.

6.

 Alcohol impairs judgment and lowers inhibitions, making some people more likely to force sex on an unwilling partner.

5.

 Alcohol slows reflexes and can impair the victim's ability to recognize
  a potentially dangerous situation.

4.

 Under the influence of alcohol, men are more likely to interpret a   woman's smile, laughter, clothes, or body language as evidence that
 she wants to have sex.

3.

 Alcohol use at the time of the attack was found to be one of the four strongest predictors of a college woman being raped. (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)

2.

 Sexual assault is a crime of violence: Alcohol never justifies violent, criminal behavior. Intoxication can never be used a a defense for someone who commits a sexual assault.

 

 
And the number one fact is:
An incapacitated person does not forfeit his/her rights. Many state laws recognize that when someone is drunk, she or he is unable to give consent. If you have sex with someone who is passed out or incapable of giving consent, it will be considered SEXUAL ASSAULT.
  • Alcohol helps us to forget about the things that make us nervous. It causes us to let our guard down and "go with the flow."

    Unfortunately, drinking too much alcohol can put us at risk, physically and emotionally.
    If you drink, drink moderately.
  • We all have decisions to make. Any chosen sexual activity should result in positive feelings, with freedom from doubt, regret, and physical or emotional damage.

    Alcohol makes it more difficult to make good sexual decisions and to control what happens to you in a sexual situation.

                           The Choice is Yours

      Prevention is the key to reducing the risk of alcohol-related sexual assault.
                 If a sexual assault does occur, it is never the victim's fault.
              No one asks to be sexually assaulted, even when intoxicated.

              For information or in case of sexual assault:

                             University Resources:

         Counseling and Wellness Center:   832-1945
         The Ruth Boyea Women’s Center:  Student Center Rm 215   832-1655
          University Health Service:  832-1925
          CCSU Police Department:    Emergency#  911  or 832-2375 or 2377

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Last Update: Monday January 09, 2006