Alcohol & Rape: The Connection

Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment.

A woman is more likely to place herself in a potentially dangerous situation (e.g., being alone with someone she does not know well) if she has been drinking. In addition, a potential victim would be less likely to recognize "early signs" of trouble and would be less effective in fleeing or resisting should either become necessary.

Alcohol also lowers inhibitions and reduces one's "normal" checks on behavior. A perpetrator is less likely to notice and to respect subtle or direct messages to stop.

Drinking interferes with communication between partners.

Discussing what you DO and DON'T want is difficult in an impaired state.

Assailants may consciously choose an impaired victim.

It is easier to force sex on an impaired individual. As such, a potential victim may be encouraged to drink excessively or her drinks may be "spiked" in order to sexually exploit her.

The perpetrator excuses his behavior because he was drinking.

Drinking/drunkenness is often used to justify behavior that would never be acceptable in a sober state. Ironically, a woman's use of alcohol or drugs often implicates her in the eyes of others. She is viewed as responsible for the Assault if she was drinking.