Alcohol consumption and adult sexual assault in a community-based population of women

Abstract

Study objectives: Relatively few studies have explored the role of alcohol use in sexual assaults against women in relation to rape and injury outcomes and the severity of sexual assault. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between reported alcohol use by sexual assault victims with increased severity of sexual abuse and physical injury. Methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective study evaluated consecutive female patients, aged 13 years or older, presenting to a sexual assault clinic during a 6-year study period. The clinic is associated with a university-affiliated emergency medicine residency program and is staffed by forensic nurses trained to perform medicolegal examinations using colposcopy with nuclear staining. Patient demographics, assault characteristics, and injury patterns were recorded using a standardized classification system. Data from the 2 victim groups (alcohol consumption versus no alcohol consumption) were analyzed using χ 2 and t tests. Results: A total of 1,872 cases were identified; 917 (49%) reported alcohol or drug use immediately before the sexual assault, of which 853 (93%) involved alcohol only. Approximately 18% (330/1,872) of the total population indicated they were at least somewhat drunk at the sexual aggression. During the 6-year study period, the frequency of alcohol consumption by victims remained stable (45% to 47%). Victims who reported alcohol consumption were younger (21 years versus 26 years, P P P P P P =.08) was similar in both groups of women. However, victims who consumed alcohol had a smaller mean number of genital injuries (2.1 versus 2.5, P P Conclusion: Alcohol consumption remains an important risk factor in sexual assault, with approximately 46% of rape incidents involving alcohol use by victims. The epidemiology and injury patterns in this group are unique and pose special challenges to emergency health care providers.