ABSTRACT
Sexual assault occurs at alarming rates, and substance misuse—primarily immoderate alcohol consumption—is implicated in approximately half of all sexual assault incidents. Research demonstrates that most alcohol-involved sexual assaults occur among acquaintances, in bar or party settings, and often involve greater levels of physical force than other assaults. Perpetrators of alcohol-involved sexual assault typically have a greater number of sexual assault risk factors than sober perpetrators. When drinking above moderate levels, alcohol-induced cognitive impairment coupled with greater dysregulation may further increase an individual’s likelihood to perpetrate sexual aggression. Concomitantly, intoxicated victims are less likely to perceive sexual assault risk indicators and may not respond to an assault as effectively as they might when sober. As such, victims of alcohol-involved sexual assaults often experience greater blame and self-blame for the assault and may engage in greater substance use post assault to cope with assault-related distress. Although a few victim-focused risk reduction interventions and perpetrator prevention efforts have demonstrated promise, most only tangentially address substance-involved sexual assault. Further research regarding the role of substance misuse in sexual assault is necessary for the development, testing, and implementation of evidence-based prevention programs to effectively reduce substance-involved sexual assault.
