The Role of Offender Alcohol Use in Rape Attacks

The role of offender preassault alcohol use (as perceived by victims) in the outcomes of rape incidents (N = 362) was analyzed using data from the 1992-1996 National Crime Victimization Survey. Offender preassault alcohol use was hypothesized to be related to more risky assault characteristics (e.g., stranger assaults and weapons) and more severe assault outcomes (e.g., completed rapes and physical injury). As predicted, offender alcohol use was associated with stranger assaults, night assaults, outdoor locations, and greater victim resistance. Logistic regression analyses showed that offender alcohol use was associated with less likelihood of rape completion and unrelated to physical injury when demographic variables and assault characteristics were controlled. Suggestions for future research on the role of alcohol in rape incidents are presented.

[1]  B. Bushman,et al.  Effects of alcohol on human aggression: an integrative research review. , 1990, Psychological bulletin.

[2]  S. E. Martin,et al.  The Contribution of Alcohol to the Likelihood of Completion and Severity of Injury in Rape Incidents , 1998 .

[3]  S. Sorenson,et al.  Resistance to sexual assault: who resists and what happens? , 1989, American journal of public health.

[4]  R. Bachman,et al.  The measurement of family violence and rape by the redesigned national crime victimization survey , 1994 .

[5]  A. Abbey.  Acquaintance rape and alcohol consumption on college campuses: how are they linked? , 1991, Journal of American college health : J of ACH.

[6]  S. Wilsnack,et al.  Childhood sexual abuse and women's substance abuse: national survey findings. , 1997, Journal of studies on alcohol.

[7]  M. Koss,et al.  Rape Tactics From the Survivors' Perspective , 1999 .

[8]  W. Schlenger,et al.  Acute and chronic effects of alcohol use on violence. , 1988, Journal of studies on alcohol.

[9]  S. Ullman.  A Comparison of Gang and Individual Rape Incidents , 1999, Violence and Victims.

[10]  G. Karabatsos,et al.  Alcohol and Sexual Assault in a National Sample of College Women , 1999 .

[11]  C. Muehlenhard,et al.  Date rape and sexual aggression in dating situations: Incidence and risk factors. , 1987 .

[12]  C. F. Bond,et al.  Social and behavioral consequences of alcohol consumption and expectancy: a meta-analysis. , 1986, Psychological bulletin.

[13]  G. Karabatsos,et al.  Alcohol and Sexual Aggression in a National Sample of College Men , 1999 .

[14]  M. Testa,et al.  The role of women's alcohol consumption in sexual victimization , 1996 .

[15]  R. Knight,et al.  The Efficacy of Women's Resistance Strategies in Rape Situations , 1993 .

[16]  S. Ullman.  Review and Critique of Empirical Studies of Rape Avoidance , 1997 .

[17]  K. Calhoun,et al.  Victim resistance to rape: The relationship of previous victimization, demographics, and situational factors , 1989, Archives of sexual behavior.

[18]  K. Pernanen.  Alcohol in human violence , 1991 .

[19]  W. George,et al.  Alcohol and human sexuality: review and integration. , 1989, Psychological bulletin.

[20]  M. Koss,et al.  A Comparison of Group and Individual Sexual Assault Victims , 1990 .

[21]  S. Ullman,et al.  Alcohol and adult sexual assault in a national sample of women. , 2000, Journal of substance abuse.

[22]  S. Johnson,et al.  Alcohol and rape in Winnipeg, 1966-1975. , 1978, Journal of studies on alcohol.

[23]  A. Coker,et al.  Risk Factors for Traumatic Physical Injury During Sexual Assaults for Male and Female Victims , 1998 .

[24]  R. Knight,et al.  A multivariate model for predicting rape and physical injury outcomes during sexual assaults. , 1991, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.