Alcohol, drug use and experiences of sexual violence victimisation among first-year college students in Ireland

Sexual violence victimisation is common in college and first year presents a significant period of risk due to the navigation of alcohol, drugs and engaging in sexual intimacy. Cross-sectional data were analysed from 1,778 first-year college students, aged between 18 and 25 years. Experience of different forms of sexual violence victimisation and perpetrator tactics used were explored, along with the reported alcohol and drug use habits of victims. Results found that sexual violence through incapacitation was the most frequently reported tactic among all students. Hazardous alcohol consumption was significantly associated with higher rates of experience of all forms of sexual violence since beginning college among female students, and significantly associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing unwanted sexual touching for male students. There were gender differences in the associations between drug types and forms of sexual violence experienced. All drugs assessed predicted an increased risk of experiencing rape among female students, while cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine were associated with an increased risk of rape among male students. Further investigation is required into the context and environments in which different drug types are taken. The findings provide a strong rationale for including alcohol and drug use education as part of future sexual health and consent education programmes for college students. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT: This study has implications for the promotion of positive sexual health and the reduction of sexual violence victimisation among college students. In order to understand the forces at play regarding sexual consent practices among students it is necessary to recognise the contexts in which these incidents occur. This research informs third-level institutions (i.e. universities, third-level colleges) on the importance of including alcohol and drug use as part of effective sexual consent education programming due to the frequent overlap of substance use and sexual experiences among this particular cohort.