“I don’t drink myself, but I don’t have anything against having sex with drunk girls,” said Jon, a sophomore. “It’s like, if she says ‘yes,’ she says ‘yes,’ and if she’s too drunk to say ‘no’… Well, basically she’s saying ‘yes.’”

This isn’t the scenario most people envision when they think about rape. But according to a study by Details magazine, this may be how the crime most often occurs.

In fact, 80 percent of college students nationwide who had unwanted sex were under the influence of alcohol at the time, according to a University of Southern Illinois study. In addition, 21 percent of undergrads nationwide—including 30 percent of males—report getting someone drunk or high in order to make him or her more open to sexual advances, according to a recent nationwide survey published in Details Magazine.

“In the party atmosphere, things like sexual assault are going to happen,” Sarah Heynes, a nurse in the Health Center, said. “Women oftentimes feel that they put themselves in that position, but that’s not what happens.”

Many students have heard stories of such behavior both on and off campus.

“A lot of guys take advantage of girls and get them drunk, and then have sex with them,” said sophomore Jeff Starr. “Instead of calling it what it really is, they say, ‘Oh, if the girl wasn't as drunk as I was, it doesn't count.’”

Many students apparently share these beliefs. According to the Details survey, 76 percent of college freshmen have had sex with someone who was drunk or high at the time; 46 percent have had a one night stand; 43 percent have cheated on a steady partner; 36 percent have had sex with someone they “didn’t like;” 32 percent have had sex with someone they knew they would never call again; and 29 percent have lied about themselves to get someone in bed.

There is an increased likelihood of sexual assault occurring off campus, typically at alcohol-replete events such as fraternity parties, Heynes said. However, students at these parties usually know each other and the assaults often aren’t taken seriously, she said.

One contributing factor might be the tendency of AU students to choose “hook ups,” or one-night-stands, over long-term relationships. A survey published in the Eagle Oct. 10 confirmed that many AU students would rather be intimate with strangers than boyfriends or girlfriends.

This mix of alcohol and a preference for casual sex makes rape a much more likely possibility. Although only five cases of sexual assault on the American University campus were reported in the 2001-2002 school year, including three in the main residence halls, some staff in AU’s health and counseling services believe far more are occurring.

“We haven’t gotten a large number of cases this year, and many times we don’t even know about [the assaults] because the victims don’t want to come in to see us,” Heynes said. “Some people don’t even want to report it.”

“People will do things under the influence of drugs and alcohol that they would never do otherwise,” Heynes said. “Sometimes [the victims] will say, ‘I know the person,’ and don’t plan on pressing charges. But if they gain space and time, three months down the road they’ll be asking, ‘What was I thinking?’”

“If students choose to drink alcohol, they need to remember that it puts them at risk for many things,” said Dr. Wanda Collins, a psychologist at the Counseling Center. “Sexual assault is certainly one of those risks, as are unplanned and unprotected sexual encounters, STDs, and/or pregnancy, among other things. … I would say that most sexual assaults on a college campus, AU included, involve the use of alcohol by either the victim or the assailant.”

There are many precautions students can take to protect themselves against sexual assault, Collins said.

“Have a designated sober person when going to parties and bars,” Collins said. “Periodically check up on each other, and take care to ensure the safety of friends who become intoxicated either by getting them home safely or calling 911.”

And, of course, students should take precautions to avoid questionable characters.

For more information about rape at AU, and where to turn if you’ve been raped, click here.

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