Alcohol is not to blame for sexual assault

The front page of Tuesday’s issue of The Utah Statesman featured an article about underage drinking at Utah State University. It was an informational article. However, I was incredibly alarmed after reading a statement made by a USU employee:

“Alcohol is the number one weapon of choice when it comes to sexual assault and rape, especially here at Utah State.”

This is interesting because the last time I checked, the actions of rapists are the number one “weapon of choice” when it comes to sexual assault and rape.

I see the point this employee is trying to make; alcohol is a common factor when cases of sexual violence are investigated on campus. I’m also aware that this employee probably did not mean to cause offense. However I am extremely bothered by the suggestion that if students would like to stay safe at social gatherings, they should avoid alcohol. This employee’s statement could be interpreted as suggesting that individuals are asking for sexual violence by choosing to drink alcohol.

Readers, please do not be misguided; I am in no way condoning underage drinking. The point I’d like to make clear is that it is absolutely ridiculous to suggest that alcohol is the culprit behind USU’s sexual violence problem. The fault lies with those perpetuating violence.

Consent, by definition, is a firm, unquestionable and even enthusiastic “yes.” A person, underage or otherwise, is not able to give proper consent to sexual activity when intoxicated. As an example, let’s say a girl has been drinking at a party, to the point where she is no longer able to drive. Does this mean she has given up her right to consent and any person at the party can take advantage of her body? Of course not. Sadly, there are people who would take this as an opportunity to inflict such violence. So why would we suggest that alcohol is the root of this problem on our campus?

Framing the consumption of alcohol as a reason behind sexual assault shifts the rightful blame from the perpetrator to the victim. Blaming victims of sexual assault for the crimes made against them is not only wrong but creates an atmosphere where sexual violence can be simply written off, or even ignored. I do not want our university to be a place where survivors of sexual violence feel they are not taken seriously or are afraid to report these crimes, solely because they were drinking alcohol at the time of the incident.

I am not suggesting we forget that alcohol is part of the equation. However, the message that should be shared on our campus is that as a community we need to look out for each other. If you’re at a party and see something suspicious, be brave enough to stop it. If you think there may be a situation where sexual violence could happen, speak up. If you’re hosting a party and suspect that a guest may be engaging in inappropriate behavior, send them home. Sexual assault can be prevented in situations where alcohol is involved, but it takes someone to notice wrongdoing and stop it.

If you or anyone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, report the incident. Do not be afraid to make your voice heard. It does not matter if you were drunk; never feel that being intoxicated is an excuse for others to violate your body. The Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information office, or SAAVI, is a safe place to report any sexual violence; you will not be penalized for consuming alcohol as a minor.

I’m grateful for USU staff members, who work to ensure a safer campus. However, if we want our university community to be free of sexual violence we need to shift our focus. We need to stop using alcohol as a scapegoat for the real issue: real people committing acts of violence.

— Manda Perkins is the assistant news editor of the Statesman and a senior majoring in journalism. When she’s not petting cats or watering plants, she is scheming to take over the patriarchy. Contact her at manda.perkins@hotmail.com or on Twitter @perkins_manda.