Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Mahri Irvine <>]

Hi Everyone,

 

I would also be really interested in your perspectives on this, because this is a (hypothetical) scenario that often comes up when I’m talking to people about sexual violence and I do not feel I am educated enough about this particular issue to respond (in terms of statistics, etc). I have heard that in situations when both victims and perps were drinking/using drugs, the perpetrators  tended to use fewer drugs,  plying their victims with alcohol/drugs while they consumed smaller amounts so that they were still in control. But I don’t actually have any articles/research to back up this statement – it’s just something I have heard.

 

So I really appreciate Patricia’s question about this!

 

Sincerely,

Mahri

 

Mahri Irvine

PhD Candidate ("Rape Culture and the Legal System: Women’s Pathways to Prison in Washington, D.C.")

American University Department of Anthropology

www.mahri-irvine.com 

 

From: Crocker, Patricia King Williams - crockepk [mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 4:42 PM
To:
Subject: intoxication and intent

 

Hi everyone,

 

Forgive me for asking what has likely been discussed before, but I’m new to the listserv…

 

As I’m sure many of you have also found, many students I see as clients in our counseling center are struggling to come to terms with sexual experiences they have had where both they and their partners were intoxicated.  The questions I always feel stumped by when working with these clients relate to consent and intent.  Specifically, if both parties are intoxicated, is either considered capable of giving or getting consent?  And secondly, does someone have to intentionally take advantage of a person’s incapacitation in order for the act to be considered sexual assault?  In less formal language, can someone ‘accidentally’ perpetrate sexual assault if they engage in sexual activity without consent but also without malicious intent?

 

Your thoughts are much appreciated as well as any relevant resources that address this unfortunate scenario.

 

Patricia K. W. Crocker, Ph.D.

Staff Psychologist & Coordinator of Sexual Trauma Empowerment Program

James Madison University

Counseling and Student Development Center

Varner House

800 South Main Street, MSC 0801

Harrisonburg, VA  22807

Phone: (540) 568-6552

Fax: (540) 568-8096

 

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