A heads up for partying teenagers

Partying season is here and we have all geared up to make the most out of it. Teenagers especially have ideas of fun that make them increasingly curious and give sleepless nights in the wait. But unfortunately, there is a devastating downside to this merriment season. Evidence suggests that sexual violence in the form of rapes is perpetrated by, and against, those in the 14-18-year-old category commonly during the festive season due to the involvement of alcohol among teens in social situations.

Pubs, clubs and house-parties are typical social situations during holiday season where teenagers who have reached the legal drinking age, and younger adolescents too often include alcohol to party both out-of-doors and in unsupervised homes. Adolescents and young people tend to arrange their parties where they are not detected or supervised upon in a bid to enjoy their merry time. 

The binge drinking trap

What teenagers fail to recognise is their greater impulsivity and poorer recognition of negative outcomes for their intoxicated behaviour. The cumulative effect of this tendency is that teenagers who binge drink are at high risk of incurring injuries, engaging in risky sexual practices, and being a victim or perpetrator of crime and violence. In a study, a whopping 42.5% of those in the 15-16-year age group reported binge-drinking during the holiday month.

There have been several cases of undesired teenage pregnancies during the past that happened under the influence of alcohol. Also sexually transmitted diseases among teens who abuse alcohol/drugs are highly usual. The unfortunate cause of concern is the social stigma attached with such behaviour and consequences that push many teenager victims to commit suicide.

Knowing what is legally classified as a rape/sexual assault?

“The term sexual assault is used by researchers to describe the entire range of compelled sexual activities including coercive touching or kissing; verbally coerced intercourse; and physically forced vaginal, oral and anal penetration. The term rape is typically reserved for sexual behaviors that involve some type of penetration due to force or threat of force; a lack of consent; or inability to give consent due to age, intoxication or mental status.” says (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1995; Koss, 1992). Vast majority of reported rape cases (both male and female), i.e., up to 97% of them involve a perpetrator and a victim who were binge drunk at the time.

Why are rapes associated with binge drinking under reported?

The stereotypical rape-myth acceptance and blaming of intoxicated rape victims is a common scenario everywhere, a teenager is incapacitated due to intoxication, men may take non-refusal or non-resistance as a sign of consent. Due to the peer pressure to assert their masculine sexuality in social situations where boys and girls consume alcohol, sexuality is perceived as difficult to control and may therefore lead to the coercion and pressure to engage in sexual activities against individuals whose ability to offer verbal and/or physical resistance is compromised due to intoxication. These conventional attitudes towards sexual roles and responsibilities may increase the likelihood of sexual violence in festivities or pubs and dance bars where alcohol is involved.

Statistics of alcohol related teenage rape during party season

In 97% of the alcohol-related sexual assaults, both the victim and the perpetrator were found to have consumed consumed alcohol. In atleast 50% of the cases, victims might not have realised that they have actually undergone legally defined rape or sexual assault, because the incident does not fit the prototypic scenario of “stranger rape.” This finding is not surprising, especially in India, because in social situations (e.g., in bars or at parties), drinking tends to be a shared activity among teenagers during festivities and where a sexual assault happens, girls are forced to believe that they are the ones to be blamed.

How to prevent rape when partying?

• Planning ahead is the way to stay safe If you’re going partying this holiday season.
• Do not forget to stay close to friends you trust, and have a pre-planned idea about going to get home.
• Decide on a number of drinks you are going to have and stick to it.
• Take condoms with you in case you might end up having sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and undesired pregnancies.
• Don’t let others top up your drinks, and go for low alcohol options wherever possible. 
• Try taking soft drink or water in between your pegs to stay well hydrated.
• Avoid ‘shouts’ or drinking games at any cost.
• Remember that it is not mandatory to use alcohol or other drugs to enjoy the party.
• A fuller stomach absorbs less alcohol cont. So, eat well before you leave for the party. 
• Keep a watch while the bartender makes your drink to avoid undesired spiking of your drinks. Also, never leave your drinks unattended.
• Never mix drugs with alcohol or other drugs.
• Don’t get isolated with a stranger.
• Don’t let peer pressure sway you into doing anything you don’t want to do. It’s okay to say no.
• Call a friend or a family member immediately if you feel unsafe at the venue or the party.

In case you feel sexually assaulted, do not forget to report in the police and get an appropriate treatment.

Phoenix Rehab is equipped with an excellent team of female counsellors who are adept at understanding and resolving issues related to rape and teenage assault. Feel free to contact Phoenix rehab if need be.

Wishing you a fun-filled, joyous holiday season and a Happy New year 2021.