Problematic alcohol behaviors and sexual assault on college campuses: How are student reports and institution-reported crime data related?

Objective: National College Health Assessment (NCHA) and Campus Safety and Security (CSS) data on sexual assault and alcohol misuse are potentially informative, but evidence of convergence is needed. Method: NCHA prevalence data from 73 four-year colleges on female students’ sexual assault experiences and students’ binge drinking were matched with each institution’s CSS data on rape and fondling offenses, and alcohol-related arrests and discipline. Results: More rape offenses (CSS) occurred on campuses where female students reported higher rates of sexual touching, attempted penetration, and penetration on NCHA (Spearman’s rho = 0.39, 0.40, and 0.34, respectively; p < 0.01). Institutions with a higher prevalence of binge drinking on NCHA recorded more alcohol-related arrests and discipline, and rapes on CSS (rho = 0.35, 0.64, and 0.32 respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Indicators of sexual assault and alcohol misuse from NCHA and CSS may have utility in future research, evaluation, and prevention.