THE IMPACT OF PERPETRATORS' ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE DURING AND AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT

Purpose:  This study examines the impact of perpetrators' drug and alcohol use during and after sexual assault.
Methods: The study relies on data provided by a representative sample of women in Texas who responded to a random digit dial survey and reported that they were sexually assaulted at some time in their lives. Questions about sexual assault victimization were drawn largely from the National Violence Against Women Survey. A series of binary logistic regressions was conducted to determine the impact of perpetrator's alcohol and drug use on violence during and after the assault.
Results:  Perpetrators' alcohol or drug use at the time of the sexual assault resulted in a greater likelihood of concurrent violence, including, hitting, slapping, kicking, use of a weapon, threats to harm or kill, and physical injury during the assault, and victims who experienced an alcohol– or drug-related sexual assault lost more time from work, school, home duties, and recreation. These impacts occurred regardless of the relationship of the perpetrator to the victim, location of the sexual assault, or ethnicity of the victim.
Conclusions:  This information can assist educators, advocates, and policy makers in directing efforts to limit alcohol and drug use and preventing situations where sexual violence is likely to emerge.