Offender Alcohol Consumption among Native Americans Compared across Victim Age: The Severity of Sexual Assaults

• In Event: Factors Surrounding the Severity of Sexual Assaults among Native Americans

Abstract

The presence of alcohol consumption in sexual assault incidences is a topic that has received considerable attention. At least one party, either the offender or the victim, has consumed alcohol in roughly half of sexual assaults. Evidence exists suggesting that offender alcohol consumption has the propensity to increase sexual aggression and the severity of the assault. The literature on the Native American population has found that Native Americans tend to have higher rates of heavy alcohol consumption. Additionally, Native American offenders of sexual assaults are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Few studies have considered severity of sexual assaults across various victim ages when the offender is consuming alcohol. Trained student researchers working with the Center for Applied Criminal Case Analysis analyzed federal sexual assault cases from a Native American sample. Of the 117 cases analyzed, 59% (n = 69) were consuming alcohol at the time of the sexual assault. Further analyses will include offender alcohol consumption and victim age both together and separately as they relate to the severity of
sexual assaults among Native Americans. Implications and future directions will be discussed.

Authors

• Amy L. Capparelli, University of Toledo

• Marshall A. Jones, Florida Institute of Technology

• Travis W. Conradt, Florida Institute of Technology