With increasing prevalence in the United States, recent years have sparked a widespread area of research into sexual assault on college and university campuses. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), the largest US anti-sexual violence organization, a rape victim is four times more likely to be a college student than any other age group. The Campus Sexual Assault Study (CSA) funded by the U.S. Department of Justice explains that “nearly 1 in 5 women have experienced an attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college.” In the United States, young students, ages 16 to 24, are considered most at risk of sexual violence, and its severity is only increasing. The increased risk of such misconduct in correlation with this demographic shows a parallel, aligned with students in their late teens entering their college and university years. With the recognition of post-secondary boundaries that foster sexual violence, we must understand: What on campus is triggering such conduct? In an age of self-discovery and experimental decision-making, the party scene in students' social lives poses repercussions for "reckless behavior," particularly when under the influence of alcohol. Impairing our cognitive functions and self-awareness, the integration of alcohol abuse into the party culture of American college and university campuses encourages sexual violence, facilitating imposed peer pressure, an increase in cases of unreported rape and, ultimately, the inability to communicate consent. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay After transitioning to the college and university lifestyle, students are faced with new sexual norms hidden in collective social behavior. As one college student explained, “There's pressure because everyone else is doing it. Have sex to fit in.” Peer encouragement to engage in sexual behavior is evident on campus and resonates with college crowds. Joan Z. Spade, author of “Schools and Society” and editor of several magazines related to college rape culture, explains that men who “sleep around” are perceived as “champions” by their peers, and brag about such “accomplishments ” generates a sense of personal pride. Another college student admitted that “sometimes you don't say no because you don't want to look stupid.” The desire to be accepted stimulates this norm, thus creating a widespread and broad mindset for adapting to college and university. As sex seems to be routine on campus, it comes alive in the party scene thriving among hormone-charged young adults. “With at least a third of first-year students on campus residing in “party dorms” and a quarter of all undergraduates belonging to fraternities or sororities,” campus life seems to revolve around the party scene. However, the lively experience of attending a party urges irresponsible alcohol consumption, which can compromise a person's ability to have complete control of their actions. This results in unwanted sexual contact, which can lead to “party rape,” the “result of fun situations turning – gradually or suddenly – into coercive situations.” Presenting a significant impact, the casual presence of alcohol influences sexual misconduct. Over 90% of all reports of sexual assault on campuses go unreported, and the presence of alcohol makesvictims less likely to speak openly. The subsidiary factor of alcohol consumption contributes to an impulsive outcome of self-blame, which places a heavy burden on the inflicted individual. By avoiding recognition and acceptance, the victim often tries to distort the incident, telling themselves that what happened was not a form of sexual violence. The presence of alcohol in these events makes "victims less likely to report an assault for fear that others will perceive the rape as their fault." The pressure to drink in the social context of campus is to some extent concerning, as drinking too much puts you in a position of vulnerability. This “place” is perceived by students as a self-inflicted position, seemingly inviting the consequence of a possible negative outcome. With the stereotype that a "party goer" drinks heavily, the individual sitting in that seat becomes more susceptible to manipulation. Following a sexual assault, credibility diminishes when attempting to report such a case, as alcohol abuse inhibits the ability to remember details. The CSA study found that more than half of sexual assaults that occur on a college campus involve alcohol consumed by the victim, the offender, or both. Additionally, 82% of all victims in a survey of sexual assault on college campuses reported being intoxicated prior to victimization. Since alcohol use increases the risk of sexual violence, constant self-awareness helps keep away from those who try to take advantage of the situation. A controversial case emerged in 2015, when 19-year-old Brock Turner sexually assaulted a drunk and unconscious schoolgirl. When the case went to court in 2016, “Turner defended himself from sexual assault allegations by blaming party culture and the prevalence of alcohol and drugs on Stanford's campus.” With further allegations of non-consensual sex made against Turner, he denied this allegation arguing that the victim had communicated adequate consent to have sexual contact. The ability to give consent while under the influence of alcohol is highly controversial and remains an open dispute. The relaxed attitude that students associate with sex produces a casual perception of sexual behavior even under the influence of alcohol, which inevitably results in aggression. An undergraduate student at a large Midwestern university explained in an interview that he had previously brought home several drunk women on multiple occasions who couldn't remember much of anything, even if they had had sex. He also explained that "rarely, if ever, did a night of drinking for his roommate end without sex." One freshman student revealed that if the legal definition of rape meant that an intoxicated individual was incapable of giving consent, then rape on campus “happens all the time.” The way in which sexual assault while intoxicated is perceived from individual to individual varies based on the understanding and perception of consent, but above all on the situation and circumstances in which consent is communicated and authorized. According to Elizabeth Monk Turner, professor of sociology and criminal justice at Old Dominion University, "the ambiguous understanding and definition of 'consent' promotes confusion among students who identify, experience, and report sexual violence." As an area of research moves away from isolation, and as allegations of DUI sexual assault on campuses steadily increase, post-secondary institutions are beginning to compile and propose the appropriate definition that can be applied universally, as well as this that this entails. The legal terms of sexual consent.
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