Alcohol and sexual assault
Alcohol is sometimes linked to sexual assault because:
- the attacker had been drinking – US figures show that up to 3 out of 4 attackers had been drinking alcohol when they assaulted someone
- the person assaulted had been drinking – research has also found that around half of sexual assault victims had been drinking. But while drinking can make you more vulnerable, that doesn’t mean alcohol is the reason for sexual assault, or that the assault is a victim’s fault if they’ve been drinking
Women’s experiences of alcohol and sexual assault
“I was 18, new to Dublin Ireland and had just started college. Still very much finding my limits with alcohol, I had a blackout drunk in a club. It was the next day that I learned I had been kissing a guy in the club for most of the night, but at one point another guy joined us, and they both touched me down there at the same time, in the middle of the dancefloor”
“I was raped in my 20s when I was on a work trip in a foreign country. We were socializing in the evening. I liked one of the guys there, but I made it clear to him that I wouldn’t have sex with him. We went back to my hotel room, where he ignored my protestations. He raped me…. Afterwards he said to me, ‘You shouldn’t drink so much,’ placing the blame and shame on me”
If you’ve been sexually assaulted, or affected by any of these issues, you can call the free, 24/7 RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673).
If you’re in the UK, you can call the Rape Crisis Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.
How can you stay safe when you’re out drinking?
It’s always a good idea to stay safe when you’re drinking, and these tips can help you do that. “But also know that sexual assault is never your fault, regardless of whether you’re sober or not,” says Dr Ann.
Your sexual health
- always carry condoms with you – and if you’re going to have sex, use them
- remember that it’s OK to say no – you should never feel pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do. It’s your body, your life. If you feel uncomfortable, tell the other person – and if they’re not listening, leave the situation. If you feel like you’re in danger, get away from the person as quickly as possible and call the police
- remember it’s not just strangers who can be a problem – sexual assault can be committed by someone you know, or even someone you know very well, such as your partner
Your wellbeing
- always stay with your drink – don’t leave it on the table when you hit the dancefloor/go outside/visit the bathroom. Take it with you, or get a new drink when you’re back
- never accept drinks from a stranger or someone you don’t trust – this can be easier said than done, particularly if you’re on a date with someone new. If possible, go to the bar and watch your drink being poured, and carry it yourself
- charge your phone before going out – or bring a portable charger with you in case it runs down. And always have a couple of taxi numbers stored on your phone
- look out for your buddies (and ask them to do the same for you) – when you’re partying with a bunch of friends, plan to arrive and leave together. If the plans change and you decide to leave early or go somewhere else, let your friends know where you’re going. And if someone is coming home with you (or you with them), tell your friends so they can check in on you
- look out for yourself, too – when you’re drinking, check in on yourself throughout the evening. If you feel like you’ve drunk too much, ask someone you can trust to get you some water and/or help you get home safely
Getting help after unprotected sex
Where can you get emergency contraception?
If you’ve had unprotected sex, emergency contraception can help stop you getting pregnant. Here’s what’s available in the US:
- plan B One-Step – available in stores without a prescription, to anyone of any age
- levonorgestrel tablets – available if you’re 17 or over without a prescription. You’ll need to ask the pharmacist for them
- ella – available on prescription from a doctor, nurse or family planning clinic
Read more about the morning-after pill.
Worried you’ve got an STI?
Having unprotected sex also puts you at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If you think you might have been exposed to an STI, you can get tested at your doctor’s office, a community health clinic or health department