Pre‐Drinking and Its Relationship to Sexual Diversity and Sexual Harassment in Nightlife Settings

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual harassment is experienced by 50% of nightlife patrons and disproportionately more by LGBTQIA+ (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) patrons. The present study investigated its association with pre‐drinking in Australian nightlife. Method An online survey assessing pre‐drinking behaviours and various forms of sexual harassment was completed by a sample of 958 individuals aged 18–65 years. Results Pre‐drinking volume ( r = 0.11, p < 0.01) and pre‐drinking frequency ( r = 0.16, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with sexual harassment. Females reported pre‐drinking more frequently than males [ χ 2 (16) = 12.30, p = 0.02], females reported greater sexual harassment than males [ χ 2 (1) = 47.13, p < 0.001, OR = 0.38] and heterosexual individuals reported higher sexual harassment than non‐heterosexual individuals [ χ 2 (4) = 34.51, p < 0.001, OR = 0.43]. Demographic variables accounted for 16% of the variance in sexual harassment frequency [ R 2 = 0.16, F (5, 170) = 6.31, p < 0.001], with only gender ( β = −0.35, t = −4.91, p < 0.001) making a unique contribution, accounting for 12% of the variance. Discussion and Conclusions The relationship between sexual harassment, pre‐drinking, gender and sexuality is complex. The present study did not find that sexually diverse individuals engaged in more pre‐drinking behaviours than heterosexual individuals, nor that LGBTQIA+ individuals report greater rates of sexual harassment than individuals identifying as heterosexual. However, women reported a larger number of sexual harassment experiences. Using these findings to inform interventions to reduce sexual harassment is indicated.