What Would You Tell Your Friend About Trying to Consent After Having Consumed Alcohol? Advice from U.S. College Students About How They Navigate Alcohol-Involved Consensual Sexual Behavior

Abstract

Because alcohol use is often involved in both consensual and non-consensual sexual encounters, college students may develop internalized guidelines for how to navigate these experiences safely. The goal of this study was to solicit advice college students would provide to their peers regarding how to navigate alcohol-involved consensual sexual behavior. College students (n = 30, 15 cisgender women, 13 cisgender men, two gender-queer ages 18–30 years) from a large mid-western university were recruited to complete a one-hour interview on alcohol and sexual decision-making. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. College students provided three areas of advice regarding alcohol-involved consensual sex. First, they recommended their peers make sure they and the other person is sober “enough” for sexual activity by: (1) knowing your limits with alcohol, (2) relying on your friends, and (3) evaluating how intoxicated the other person is. Second, use explicit and verbal consent and refusal communication by: (1) being clear in what you are willing (or not) to do and (2) explicitly asking your partner several times, before sex occurs. Finally, students recommended evaluating the larger context of the situation. College students offered advice centered on leveraging past experiences, relying on friends for assistance in these scenarios, and doing one’s own personal evaluation of the situation. Additionally, they underscored the importance of clear, verbal communication, along with checking in and actively listening to their sexual partners during these encounters. The cumulative guidance provided by college students yields valuable insights that can inform harm reduction prevention efforts related to alcohol use and sexual consent.