February 16, 1995
The anger and concern surrounding date rape has focused on the accused perpetrator. But in the last three reported date rapes on campus there has been another factor: alcohol.
In the most recent case, the police reported both parties said they had been drinking on the night of the Feb. 3 incident. According to the reports, the accused said he had consumed eight or nine beers and a mixed drink in a three- to four-hour period. She said she had two drinks: one beer and one mixed drink, but had a high tolerance for alcohol. Would a situation have occurred had they been sober?
Probably not.
It is unreasonable to expect people not to drink, even if it is a safer alternative. Alcohol has been such an integrated part of our society for so long, especially in college life. In such a time of personal exploration, including sexuality, alcohol becomes a socially accepted crutch to ease the fear of vulnerability.
Ironically, alcohol, by dulling oneีs senses and ability to make rational decisions, accomplishes the opposite, making one more vulnerable.
Even more ironic is the mixed reaction women have to the alcohol factor in a date rape situation. On one hand, women want to be able to drink without having to worry about the possibility of unwanted or forced sex. But then at the same time, the accused perpetrator is often held accountable for conning or even forcing a woman to drink in order to ease the act. If they are voluntarily drinking, how do women suddenly become victims to coercion? Are women not responsible for their actions? Does this initial willingness to drink suddenly fall to the wayside when something later happens that they don't want?
No. Women choose to drink on their own accord. Even if the choice results from caving in to peer pressure, they still make the final decision.
Women don't have to be walking victims. Discrediting a woman's ability to make this decision belittles her ability to think for herself. Once again, she becomes the potential victim, unable to defend herself or avoid an unwanted decision. This line of thinking is destructive to both men and women.
Last semester, it was reported that a suspected rapist, who was later expelled from campus, was pushing alcohol on women to have his way with them. Regardless of whether he was attempting to do this or not, it was still up to these women to decide to drink.
Women shouldn't have to worry about date rape. The word "no" should be enough to end any unwanted act. But women and men need enough self-respect and awareness to know when they are in an unsafe situation, drunk or sober. Admittedly, alcohol hinders that awareness.
In any other situation, drunk or not, a person is legally held responsible for his or her actions. Date rape is not the only risk one takes when under the influence of alcohol.
Any number of potentially harmful decisions can be made: driving drunk, riding with a drunk driver; or accidents like falling off a ledge or down a flight of stairs.
To take a drink is to take a risk. There are ways to drink and still protect oneself from harm. If we need to have a designated thinker as well as driver, then so be it, so long as it's someone we trust.
People choose to drink. That choice doesn't alleviate responsibility and it shouldn't relinquish self-control.