Alcohol weapon of choice during sexual assaults Published April 17, 2008 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office WASHINGTON -- Studies show that the weapon most often used to commit a sexual assault is not a gun or a knife. Offenders use alcohol and other incapacitating substances much more frequently to coerce and incapacitate victims in acts of sexual violence. As a result, social scientists are revising their theories about the typical rapist. Given the current media attention, most people visualize a rapist as a stranger who accosts victims in a deserted location. However, research demonstrates that offenders often travel in the same social circles as their victims. In fact, some make a point of getting to know or even date their victim before they commit a criminal offense. Most rapists typically have social skills, have other "consensual" sexual relationships, are educat¬ed and employed, are not mentally ill, and do not use weapons to maim their victims. Eighty percent of sexual assaults happen during some form of social interaction, usually on a date. A rape is also more likely to occur at a party or bar, rather than at the victim's home. Most people find it difficult to believe that a rapist might be someone they know or have dated. This might be because rapists commonly use a variety of techniques -- some very subtle - to lower their victims' defenses and win their confi¬dence. Just getting to know someone is a very subtle way to make a person less suspicious of their ultimate intentions. Another commonly used technique is to overpower someone with alcohol or incapacitating drugs. Perpetrators seek victims who have used alcohol or other intoxicating substances because such drugs interfere with the ability to verbally and physically resist sexual advances. Some perpetrators employ alcohol to completely incapacitate a target, embarrass the victim, and ulti¬mately hide the crime. Offenders may also use alcohol during the commission of the crime or hide behind their use of alcohol in an attempt to exonerate themselves. When intoxicated, perpetrators often ignore potential consequences and act with increased impulsivity. Studies confirm that the more perpetrators drink, the more likely they will commit sexually violent acts. A study of college rapists found that 62 percent of the offenders believed they had committed rape only because of their alcohol consumption. They did not see themselves as real criminals because real criminals use weapons to assault strangers. In fact, some perpe¬trators may purposely get drunk when they want to act in a sexually aggressive way, having the mistaken belief that alcohol use excuses their socially inappropriate behavior. The best defense against these kinds of perpetrators is to watch out for potentially dangerous situations: - Limit your drinking to a drink (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor) an hour with no more than 3 drinks total. - Designate a non-drinking friend to help with safety and good decision making. - Avoid leaving your drink unattended and do not accept drinks that you did not order. - Avoid drinking in unfamiliar environments and around unfamiliar people. Many of the risks presented by sex offenders who use alcohol and other substances as weapons can be managed by looking out for friends and co-workers. When someone is in trouble, ask if he or she needs help. Get assistance if requested. If someone appears to be in trouble, don't be afraid to intervene or ask someone else to help. For more information, contact the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at 722-0155 or visit http://www.sapr.mil.