Mixing sex and alcohol blurs line of rape

Gray rape, which typically involves alcohol-the most common date rape drug, despite popular belief-is an increasingly controversial issue especially on college campuses like Saint Joseph's University.

Gray rape is defined as situations where, after sexual activity, consent from either participant is disputable.

"You can't give consent when you're under the influence," said Courtney Gleckner, '08, a Rape Education and Prevention Program (REPP) member.

At the Living Learning program, Have Another Beer, hosted by RAs Elyse Busch, '09, and Chris Hoffman, in Borgia Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 13, REPP members and students discussed the issue of gray rape and its connection to alcohol at St. Joe's.

REPP members engaged the students by asking them questions concerning rape and alcohol, and asking them to reply by holding up red cards for disagreement and green cards for agreement.

The majority of students held up green cards in response to a question about "Roofies," such as GHB and rohypnol, being the most common date rape drug. REPP members Malia Butler, '08, and Gleckner responded that this was actually false, as alcohol is the most common date rape drug.

Ideas about rape and sexual assault are usually contrived prior to alcohol use. Alcohol is later used to justify an assailant's behavior.

However, the lines of gray rape are much more skewed.

"Victims may feel as though they didn't state their boundaries clearly," said Lynn Panepinto, '08, a senior REPP member. "Assailants may feel as though their victim was playing hard-to-get, or not expressing how far he/she wanted to go."

St. Joe's, like any other college or university, has a student social life that includes alcohol, despite the law. Whether in dorms or at off-campus parties, alcohol is readily available.

The Living Learning program revealed statistics about St. Joe's student's drinking habits in comparison to the national average.

Nationwide, about 57 percent of students do not use alcohol at college; however, at St. Joe's, only 29 percent of students do not use alcohol. The national average for students having 10 or more drinks in the past two weeks is seven percent, and for St. Joe's the average is 13 percent, according to REPP. The national average for chugging alcohol in a two-week period is 59 percent, while at St. Joe's, the average is 53 percent.

Why is St. Joe's lingering in the high percentile range? Students responded that the percentages could relate to freshmen not being used to the new parentless living situation, and thus indulging in binge drinking.

"A lot of students have social anxiety and use alcohol to take off that edge," said George Dowdall, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology.

Adding heavy alcohol use to any situation skews the details of what happened. Young women tend to feel guilty following such an unsure sexual encounter and blame themselves. Having not said no strongly enough, or appearing as if she had wanted it heighten the feelings of embarrassment.

Panepinto commented that she has never received a phone call on the REPP hotline regarding a gray rape situation. In casual conversations with others, she has heard mention of random "hook-ups," which are common for a lot of teens and young adults.

Hook-ups are typically fueled by alcohol, allowing both parties to be more relaxed in anxiety-ridden social settings. Off-campus keg parties afford under-age students opportunities to meet others in environments that encourage drinking. Binge drinking typically occurs with games such as beer pong, flip cup, and keg stands.

Binge drinking and hook-ups are where gray rape comes in. Its effects can be argued to be more detrimental than those of actual, clear-cut rape. Feelings of having behaved wrongly or perhaps deserving what happened because he/she was so drunk are embedded in the victims.

"It makes people doubt themselves," said Panepinto. "They will have more trouble trusting themselves and their instincts when it comes to interacting with others and having sexual relationships."

Freshmen have expressed their knowledge of gray rape. They believe it to be common at St. Joe's and that alcohol is a big factor. They also feel it is difficult to be upfront and honest with partners following a confusing situation.

"Sometimes you're second-guessing yourself," said Ashley Winkler, '11. "I've had friends experience it, and they're just not sure because they blacked out."

The Living Learning program closed with a discussion of the importance of all students monitoring their alcohol intakes and being smart in social situations. Know your limits and surroundings. Be clear with what your boundaries are. Do not assume what the other is thinking.

"Try to be in a state where you are capable of making decisions and remembering them," said Panepinto.