Grant: Project Grant

Sexual violence is a significant public health problem resulting in serious social, physical, emotional, psychological and economic harms, especially to women who are usually the targets, with men most often the perpetrators. At least 50% of incidents of sexual violence involve alcohol. Alcohol-related sexual harassment and aggression (ASHA) by men toward women among young adults in bars and clubs is pervasive and normalized, negatively affects many young women, and contributes to "rape culture." Our previous research found that over 50% of young women had experienced ASHA at a bar on a single night out. Developing effective programs to reduce ASHA requires a better understanding of why men engage in ASHA perpetration. Our research on male-to-male bar physical aggression demonstrated that men are more likely to be aggressive if they view such behavior as normal and acceptable, and if their male friends, especially peer leaders, support such behavior. Extending this work, we will examine how young men's beliefs/attitudes and peer group dynamics contribute to their likelihood of perpetrating ASHA and preventing or stopping ASHA (bystander action). Building on successful research methods implemented by our team, we will recruit young adult men (individually and in groups) in bar districts to participate in street surveys, focus groups and online surveys to: 1) develop and validate a multi-dimensional questionnaire assessing men's beliefs/attitudes about ASHA and determine how they are linked to ASHA perpetration and bystander action; and 2) determine how peer group attitudes, peer norms and peer status within peer groups are linked to ASHA perpetration and bystander action. We will work closely with key stakeholders (e.g., bar owners, bar-goers, sexual violence prevention/treatment professionals, police, college/university representatives) to use the findings in developing preventive interventions and policies to reduce ASHA in bars/clubs.