Lydia Guy Ortiz Content Topic Results

Alcohol and Sexual Violence Perpetration

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:10:27 +0000

Alcohol and Sexual Violence Perpetration Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/11/2014 - 11:10

NRCDV Publications

General Material

Published Date

December, 2008

Publisher(s)

VAWnet: The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)

Author(s)

Antonia Abbey

Lydia Guy Ortiz

Half of all sexual assault perpetrators are under the influence of alcohol at the time of the assault, with estimates ranging from 30% to 75%. There are three explanations for the frequent co-occurrence of alcohol and sexual violence perpetration and each is relevant for some perpetrators. The first explanation is that alcohol plays a causal role in some sexual assaults. Alcohol is one of many risk factors that increase the likelihood that a man will feel comfortable forcing sex on an unwilling woman. The second explanation is that the desire to commit sexual assault plays a causal role in the decision to consume alcohol. Some perpetrators may drink alcohol because it makes it easier to engage in disinhibited and aggressive acts. Finally, for some perpetrators there is another underlying factor that is the cause of both the sexual violence and the alcohol consumption. For example, men with antisocial personality traits are more likely than other men to drink heavily and to commit a variety of aggressive acts including sexual violence. None of these explanations reduce perpetrators' responsibility for their actions. However, identifying the different ways alcohol relates to perpetration aids in the development of effective sexual violence prevention strategies.

Alcohol increases the likelihood of sexual assault perpetration through pharmacological and psychological mechanisms. Alcohol is absorbed by the brain and reduces the ability to make complex decisions. Often this produces a focus on short-term positive rewards and a failure to consider the long-term negative consequences of behavior. Impulse control is also reduced by alcohol, making it harder for people to stop themselves once they have decided to engage in a behavior. Just a few drinks consumed in a short time period are usually enough to produce reductions in cognitive capacity. Studies which have compared intoxicated and sober men's behavior have demonstrated the link between intoxication and increased aggression.

People also have strong beliefs about how alcohol affects behavior. American culture glamorizes alcohol consumption and links it to sexual desire, sexual performance, aggression, and other types of disinhibited behavior. These beliefs provide "liquid courage" and an excuse for some perpetrators.

Survey researchers have addressed questions about the uniqueness of intoxicated perpetrators and situations. Intoxicated perpetrators do not appear to fundamentally differ from other perpetrators, except they consume more alcohol and have stronger beliefs about alcohol's effects on themselves and women. Perpetrators' use of aggressive strategies tend to increase with intoxication; however, at extremely high levels of intoxication they frequently lack the capacity to complete the rape. When alcohol is involved, perpetrators are less likely to know the victim well and are more likely to spend time with the victim at a party or bar.

Although there are some promising practices, there are few rigorously evaluated sexual violence prevention programs and these do not focus on alcohol. Furthermore, many of these programs have been implemented with college students and only assess short-term knowledge and attitude change. Within the sexual violence prevention field, there is an awareness of the need to develop more multi-faceted, multi-level programs and to shift the focus from individuals to changing social norms. Sustained collaborations are needed between service providers, survivors, communities, and researchers to develop, implement and evaluate sexual violence prevention programs which are effective, relevant, and responsive.

Associated Files

Attachment	Size
Alcohol and Sexual Violence Perpetration	641.09 KB

Material Categories

Prevention Programming

Education

Offenders / Perpetrators

Sexual Violence

Substance Abuse

Sexual Violence Prevention: Beginning the Dialogue

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:18:50 +0000

Sexual Violence Prevention: Beginning the Dialogue Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/15/2014 - 12:18

General Material

Publisher(s)

The Prevention Researcher

Author(s)

This article from The Prevention Researcher highlights the foundations of effective sexual violence prevention that draw from both the feminist movement and from research based approaches in fields such as public health. Examples of prevention programs include the Student Connections Club in Harrisonburg, VA, Washington Middle School Project in Washington State, and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault's MyStrength Campaign.

Understanding Sexual Violence Using a Public Health Model

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 19:26:34 +0000

Understanding Sexual Violence Using a Public Health Model Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/14/2014 - 15:26

General Material

Published Date

January, 2003

Publisher(s)

Research and Advocacy Digest

Author(s)

Lydia Guy Ortiz

p>The purpose of this publication is to provide linkages between advocates and researchers in the anti-sexual violence field. & This issue presents an overview of resources and articles that provide insight to those seeking to understand sexual violence utilizing the public health model.

Sexual violence can be viewed many ways. Some of the more common perspectives are mental health, criminal justice, medical, social and political. In the1970's the anti-rape movement clearly operated from a socio-political analysis of the issue. As service delivery structures were created the movement's analysis expanded to accommodate the collaborations taking place in the criminal justice, mental health and medical systems. Over the past decade there has been a push to incorporate a public health analysis of the issue. The public health model is inclusive of many of the ideals on which the movement was founded. It seeks to involve the whole community in seeking solutions. It is multidisciplinary and encompasses a wide range of interventions, from treatment to prevention strategies.

This issue contains abstracts of

"Public Health and Violence Prevention" Current Issues in Public Health 1:2-9 (1995)
"Sexual Offending as a Public Health Problem: a North American Perspective " The Journal of Sexual Aggression 5:1 (2000)
"Child Sexual Abuse as a Public Health Issue: Recommendations of an Expert Panel" Sexual Abuse: &A Journal of Research and Treatment 11:4 (1999).
"Having New Eyes: Viewing Child Sexual Abuse as a Public Health Problem" A Journal of Research and Treatment 11:4 (1999)
"Public Health Policy for Preventing Violence" Health Affairs Winter (1993)
"New Directions for Prevention: Reconceptualizing Child Sexual Abuse as a Public Health Concern." & Prevention Violence in Relationships: Developmentally Appropriate Interventions across the Life Span (2001)
"The Public Health Approach to the Prevention of Sexual Violence." Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment 12:1 (2000).
"Public Health Models of Violence and Violence Prevention" Encyclopedia of Violence Peace and Conflict 3 (1999)
"Topics for our Times: Rape is a Major Public Health Issue." American Journal of Public Health 86: 1(1996)

Associated Files

Attachment	Size
Understanding Sexual Violence Using a Public Health Model	3.22 MB

Material Categories

Prevention Programming

Healthcare

Health / Public Health

Sexual Violence