Multicenter cross-sectional study on sexual violence among university students: victims, perpetrators, and alcohol use

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of sexual violence among university students (identification of sexual violence behaviors, self-recognition as victims and perpetrators) and its relationship with alcohol consumption and other associated factors. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional multicenter study of students from six public universities in Catalonia, north-eastern Spain. Sexual violence has been categorized into three levels of severity, ranging from least to most severe. Results: 2,803 students participated (72.5% women). Regarding sexual violence victimization, 79% of respondents had experienced level 1, 59.8% level 2, and 7.5% level 3. Concerning perpetration, 15.6% had perpetrated level 1, 2.5% level 2 and 0.3% level 3. Sexual violence identification was high, with females identifying more situations than males (p < 0.001). 39.6% of students had felt pressured to drink alcohol and 65% had experienced alcohol-related blackouts in the previous year. Men consumed more alcohol than women (p < 0.001). Sexual violence perpetration was associated with males, students in 4th to 6th grade, pressure to consume alcohol, alcohol-related blackouts and alcohol consumption. Sexual violence victimization was associated with females, pressure to consume alcohol, alcohol-related blackouts and alcohol consumption. Conclusion: This study identifies a high prevalence of sexual violence among university students, consistent with international findings and signaling a concerning trend. The results also show a strong link between sexual violence and alcohol consumption in university leisure contexts. Existing evidence indicates that alcohol facilitates rather than causes sexual violence, creating circumstances in which sexual victimization becomes more likely. The study highlights the need for prevention strategies and educational programs addressing sexual violence and reducing its associated risk factors among university students.