Alcohol and sexual violence perpetration

Abstract: 

This paper summarizes the research literature that examines alcohol’s role in sexual violence perpetration. The first section provides estimates of the frequency with which alcohol consumption and sexual assault perpetration co-occur. After describing the criteria required to determine that one variable causes change in another, relevant experimental and survey research are critically reviewed. The final section includes suggestions for practitioners based on available scientific knowledge. This paper follows common conventions by using the term rape to describe acts that involve penetrative sex committed through force, threat of force, or when the victim is unable to consent. The terms sexual assault and sexual violence are used interchangeably to refer to the full range of coercive strategies and types of forced sex. This paper focuses on male perpetrators and female victims because this describes the vast majority of sexual assaults that occur in adolescence and adulthood (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006). The term victim is used because this review focuses on circumstances surrounding the victimizing experience, not the recovery process.