Alcohol and sexual assault

Conservative estimates of sexual assault prevalence suggest that 25 percent of American women have experienced sexual assault, including rape. Approxi mately one-half of those cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrat or, victim, or both. Alcohol contributes to sexual assault through multiple pathways, often exacerbating existing risk factors. Beliefs about alcohol' s effects on sexual and aggressive behavior, stereotypes about drinking wom en, and alcohol's effects on cognitive and motor skills contribute to alcoh ol-involved sexual assault. Despite advances in researchers' understanding of the relationships between alcohol consumption and sexual assault, many q uestions still need to be addressed in future studies.