Sexual assault and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand, as over 50% of sexual assault cases involve drugs or alcohol. Almost half of women and a quarter of men will experience sexual assault during their lifetime. Fortunately, there is help and hope available for someone who has suffered a sexual assault, with crisis centers, shelters, and mental health support services all over the country.
Sexual assault is an unfortunate reality in our world today, and it can leave lasting marks on someone’s life, even long after the event. This can result in a variety of mental health issues, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders. There is also a high co-occurrence of sexual assault and substance abuse, with substance abuse either being involved in the sexual assault itself or being used as an emotional salve after the fact.
Anyone is able to be the victim of sexual assault. While there is a common misconception that sexual assaults are rare, the CDC estimates that 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men will experience a sexual assault during their life. Sexual assault is much more widespread than many people may realize, and even though sexual assaults occur this frequently, many of them go unreported. This has many contributing factors including fear of stigma, fear of not being believed, and fear of punishment. Additionally, the majority of sexual assault victims experience this trauma before the age of 25 and the perpetrator is most often someone the victim knows, so this can make reporting the incident seem more intimidating.
There is no single identifier of sexual assault perpetrators, and they can come from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. While there is another misconception that sexual assaults only occur in dark alleys at night, the reality is much different. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics, just over 75% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. According to RAINN, the number is slightly higher at around 80%. Finally, a study conducted in Erie County, New York found that, among women who had been sexually assaulted, 98% claimed that the perpetrator was someone they knew. Regardless of the exact number, it is clear that an overwhelming percentage of sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone known to the victim.
Drugs and alcohol are involved in a significant portion of sexual assault cases. For example, the CDC estimates that women who experienced drug or alcohol-involved sexual assault, 58.4% of these assaults were perpetrated by someone the woman knew. Additionally, over 50% of all sexual assault cases amongst college students involve alcohol. Among the general population, both perpetrators and victims of sexual assault have often consumed alcohol before the sexual assault took place, with estimates ranging from 34-74% of perpetrators and 30-79% of victims being under the influence when a sexual assault occurs.
Aside from alcohol and use on the part of the perpetrator, there is also a strong connection between the victim’s drug or alcohol use and sexual assault. One study of 442 female sexual assault victims found that around 73% of the women reported drug and/or alcohol use in the 6 weeks prior to the assault.
There is also a trend for women who have been sexually assaulted to begin or increase the use of drugs or alcohol after sexual assaults. A study conducted interviews with 148 women who had experienced sexual assault by an intimate partner and found that sexual assault is a major contributor to new or escalating drug or alcohol use. This study found that 10% of women who experienced one sexual assault reported beginning or increasing their alcohol use due to the assault. Of women who experienced more than one sexual assault, 27% attributed new or increasing alcohol use to these assaults. As far as illicit drugs were concerned, this study found that no women reported new or increasing drug use due to one sexual assault, but 9% of women who experienced more than one assault attributed this assault to new or increased illicit drug use.
The first step is often entering a detox center, as some drugs and alcohol can produce dangerous or potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. Once detox has been safely completed, entering a treatment center can give someone the tools, help, and support to allow someone to devote themselves entirely to their recovery. These centers usually staff trained clinicians, therapists, and psychiatrists whose mission is to help someone uncover their struggles, as well as their desire for recovery, and help them move towards their goal. Once treatment is complete, it is often recommended to continue therapy and find a support group of some kind, either for sexual assault survivors, substance abuse, or both.
Some extremely helpful resources for sexual assault and substance abuse recovery for anyone include:
A non-profit that was founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and is partially funded by the CDC, their site provides a wealth of resources for sexual assault survivors, their family, friends, and advocates for sexual assault prevention and awareness.
This organization provides free and confidential support groups to anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault.
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network provides many services and resources for sexual assault survivors. They operate the National Sexual Assault Hotline, a local sexual assault treatment provider locator, as well as many other helpful resources for those whose lives have been impacted by sexual assault.
Call 1-800-656-4673 anytime, 24/7 to be connected with a trained staff member that can help you find help near you. They also have an online chat option.
A sexual assault and domestic abuse prevention and support organization that has members all over America. Their site also provides helpful resources for people who have experienced sexual assault or domestic abuse.
A non-profit that is aimed at preventing child abuse and sexual assault, they provide prevention and advocacy resources on their website.
A website dedicated to ending campus-based sexual assault, their resource page lists many other helpful sexual assault organizations all over the country.
An advocacy, prevention, and support organization that aims to support Asians and Pacific islanders whose lives have been impacted by sexual assault.
An advocacy and support organization formed in 2004, Joyful Heart provides resources for victims of sexual assault, and works on several different prevention and advocacy initiatives.
A page of sexual violence resources, there are dozens of resources listed for issues including sexual assault in general, rape, and sex trafficking.
Some extremely helpful resources for sexual assault and substance abuse recovery for women include:
An initiative of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, this site provides resources for women who have experienced violence and other gender-based issues.
An advocacy organization dedicated to helping Women of Color live free from sexual assault.
Some extremely helpful resources for sexual assault and substance abuse recovery for men include:
A non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping men who experienced sexual assault either during childhood, or adulthood. They provide a web-based helpline that is available 24/7 to help men who have survived sexual assault and their friends and family.
This is a non-profit organization that promotes community and compassion among male survivors of sexual assault. They also provide a “Healing Resources” page so that someone can find support groups and mental health help near them.
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