Alcohol’s Role in Sexual Assault

86.4% of UofW students report drinking alcohol. 22.1% of UofW students are classified as heavy drinkers, Ontario student average is 18.8%. 25.3% of UofW students have done something they regret after drinking. 15% of UofW students report having unplanned intimate sexual relations because of alcohol.

MythsFacts Because a woman is drinking alcohol she must be “easy” The perpetrator is usually a stranger If the victim was drinking when assaulted they are partially to blame Assaults happen only at night and in dark alleys This is a double standard. Men are not perceived by society as promiscuous for drinking alcohol as women are Usually someone the victim knows Sexual assault survivors are never responsible for the attack, no matter what. 50% of attacks are in the day and 50% occur close to or in the victim’s home

Sexual assault includes any forced or coerced sexual acts. Such as: touching or kissing, verbally coerced intercourse, and physically forced vaginal, oral and anal penetration. Rape constitutes sexual behaviours that involve some type of penetration due to force or threat of force; a lack of consent; or inability to give consent due to age, intoxication or mental status.

A person is legally unable to give consent if they are under age, intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol, developmentally disabled, or mentally/physically unable to do so. 50% of sexual assaults that occur involving college students are also associated with alcohol use by the victim and or the perpetrator

Alcohol seriously hinders the ability of the user to think clearly and contemplate consequences of their actions. When a person is drunk their ability to express themselves and to interpret cues and behaviours exhibited by others is impaired. This can lead to misreading “friendly” cues as sexual interest and misunderstanding “no” as “try harder”

82% of victims are female and 98% of perpetrators are male % of the victims knew the perpetrator prior to the attack. In most cases it is an acquaintance or a friend of a friend. Only 5% of rape victims reported the attack to police. Shame, fear, and self blame were the main reasons given for underreporting.

If you see a situation where someone is too drunk to give consent step in, don’t turn a blind eye. Recognize the signs that an assault could be imminent.  Recognize comments and behaviours from others that would indicate they were intent on having sex even if the partner was unwilling.  Watch out for potential victims who are unconscious or incapacitated  Notice if someone is getting ready to have sexual intercourse with a partner who is incapacitated.

Don’t pressure or encourage friends to drink alcohol Don’t promote having sex often or with as many people as possible. Don’t joke about sexual assault; comments and jokes that are meant to “ease the tension” or are “just kidding around” can trivialize the severity of the behaviour. Do make a plan to stay with the friends you went out with and if you choose to drink, do it in moderation.

Student Health Services (519) or go online at Student Counselling Center offers information on sexual assault at and-assault Campus Community Police can be reached at (519) ext or online at Sexual Assault Care Center at Windsor Regional Hospital (519) or online at

Abbey, A. (2002). Alcohol-related sexual assault: A common problem among college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol Supplement, 63(2), Adlaf, E.M., Demers, A., & Gliksman, L. (Eds.) Canadian Campus Survey Toronto, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Benson, B., Gohm, C.L., Gross, A. M. (2007). College women and sexual assault: The role of sex-related alcohol expectancies. Journal of Family Violence, 22(6), doi /s z Stanford University. (n.d). Facts and myths concerning sexual assault. Retrieved on March 16, 2012 from: The University of Arizona.(n.d). Sexual Assault. Retrieved on March 16, 2012 from: