Emergency Department Visits for Sexual Assault by Emerging Adults: Is Alcohol a Factor?

Allison Tadros,Danielle Davidov,Melinda Sharon,Shelley Hoffman

doi:10.5811/westjem.2018.6.38219

Allison Tadros, Danielle Davidov + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2018.6.38219

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Abstract

IntroductionEmerging adults (18–25 years of age) are at increased risk for sexual assault. There is little Emergency Department (ED) data on sexual assaults that involve alcohol among this population. The purpose of this study was to analyze ED visits for sexual assault and determine if alcohol consumption by the patient was noted.MethodsThis study was a retrospective chart review of patients aged 18–25 presenting to an ED in a college town over a four-year period. Extracted variables included age, gender, delay in seeking care, sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) evaluation, and alcohol consumption by the patient. For analysis of alcohol use, cases were categorized as ages < 21 and ≥ 21.ResultsThere were 118 patients who presented to the ED from 2012 to 2015. The mean age of the cohort was 20 years, and almost 70% of visits were among those < 21. Of those aged < 21, 74% reported alcohol consumption, in contrast to 48% of those ≥ 21 (p = 0.055). Of those reporting alcohol use, 36% were evaluated on the day of the assault compared to 61% of those not reporting alcohol (p=0.035).ConclusionThis study found that ED visits for sexual assault in emerging adults were more common in younger patients. Alcohol use occurred more frequently with patients under the legal drinking age, and presentation was also more likely to be delayed. The relationship between sexual assault and alcohol use should underscore primary prevention efforts in emerging adult populations.

Highlights

Emerging adults (18-25 years of age) are at increased risk for sexual assault
The mean age of the cohort was years, and almost 70% of visits were among those
This study found that Emergency Department (ED) visits for sexual assault in emerging adults were more common in younger patients

Summary

Introduction

Emerging adults (18-25 years of age) are at increased risk for sexual assault. There is little Emergency Department (ED) data on sexual assaults that involve alcohol among this population. The vast majority of sexual assaults against females occur before age 25.1 Approximately 38% of victims of completed rape, which includes forced penetration and completed alcohol- or drug-facilitated rape, first experience this form of sexual assault between the ages of 18 and 24.1 The term “emerging adulthood” has been recently used to describe the developmental period between ages 18 and 25.2 This phase is characterized by significant life transitions such as entry into the workforce and/or college attendance as well as sharp increases in experimentation and unsafe behavior, making this age group vulnerable to violence and substance use.[3,4,5] Because over one-third of emerging adults in the United States (U.S.) attend college, the disproportionate impact of sexual assault among this population is a growing concern.[6] Sexual assault on college campuses is an issue that has recently caught the attention of national leaders in the U.S, as evidenced by the creation of the “It’s On Us” and White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault initiatives.[7,8] Studies have found that as many as 1 in 5 women on college. Few studies have focused on the relationship between alcohol and sexual assault among emerging adult populations that do not attend college.[8]

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