A new research has found that male students who frequently visit the bar are more likely to assault a woman over the first five semesters of college.
The study found no evidence that male students' binge drinking per se boosted their odds of becoming a perpetrator, but his likelihood of being a perpetrator increased during semesters in which he attended parties or bars more than his usual amount.
The study was reported in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, suggest that "drinking setting" -- rather than drinking, per se -- might be key.
Maria Testa, the lead researcher from Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, New York said that people drawn to these settings may be at a higher risk.
That is, a student who heads to a bar or party might be more interested in sex than one who is content staying in the dorm and watching television, she said.
The findings are based on surveys of nearly 1,000 US college men. They were first surveyed as freshmen and then again at the end of each of the next five semesters.
Overall, almost 18 per cent admitted to sexually assaulting a woman at some point during the study period. That included forced intercourse, "attempted" intercourse, and "unwanted contact."
The students were also asked about binge drinking, defined as having five or more drinks in a row.
The researchers found that men who frequently went to bars or parties were more likely to be perpetrators.
(With IANS Inputs)
