Sex is an issue that is constantly flooding our TV airwaves. Images of sex are constantly being thrown at us through images in the media, such as magazines and programs. As a result, issues related to sexual assault and rape have become a growing concern. There is much more talk about sexual predators and the troubled lives sexual assault victims must live with. Although sex is naturally accepted when practiced correctly, the joys and action of sex between a man and a woman can and has been abused. In the last ten years, it has been argued about what the underlying causes are that lead to sexual assault incidents. These incidents usually happen to the female population. Some might argue these factors might lie within the harmful effects of alcohol abuse, society’s constant promotion of sex in the media, the mental state of many sexual predators, and possibly a look into ones one's family up bringing.

Alcohol abuse can be an underlying factor leading to many sexual assault charges or rape. Some might say alcohol is the United States’ Achilles heel because more deaths are related to alcohol as opposed to other causes of death. Others might believe that alcohol is not a cause of sexual abuse and stricter laws are not realistic. However, some evidence shows that the problem of binge drinking, which many college students take part in, {Delete the comma.} can be a factor in the sexual assault claim. As one article reports, “ The percentage of frequent binge drinkers -- students who reported three or more binge episodes in the previous two weeks -- rose from 20 percent in 1993 to 23 percent in 1999” (Schemo). Sometimes large increases in drinking, {Delete the comma.} lead to sexual assault incidents as a direct result. A key factor in assessing violent crimes, such as rape is the effects of alcohol. Alcohol has the ability to affect the brain. As a result, “drinking alcohol leads to a loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and even blackouts”(Tip for Teens: the Truth About Alcohol). This can be related to assault cases because many incidents of rape involve a heavy use of alcohol. Because of poor judgment, memory lapses, and blackouts those people who are convicted of rape may not even recollect a crime occurred. Furthermore, when addressing the issue of sexual assault charges alcohol and self-control becomes a concern. The abuse of alcohol and the way it impairs ones judgment and self-control is another reason why rapes occur. With no inhibitions and moral judgment, the act of rape to those under the influence becomes neither right nor wrong to them. Yet, alcohol is not the only cause of sexual assault.

The images established in the media of perfect bodies, the demoralizing images of women, and sex advertisements may also provoke occurrences of rape and sexual assault. With an ever-changing society of moral standards, the images of violence, sex, and drugs on television have become more and more of an everyday occurrence. As a result, a constant flood of these images is another cause of sexual assault. More importantly, the images of nudity, oral contraceptives, and sex education in our public schools leaves our society trapped. Because sex has become so much of a commodity and the media has used it as a means to increase profits, there is no escaping. “Just as magazines, movie stars and models have influenced women for decades to be a size 2 and wear painfully high heels, these slogans teach women just to silence themselves and perform their duties as lovers. They teach men that sex is something fun with no consequences”(Jackson). Women are seen as sexual objects because it’s a masculine dominated society, where men are in control and women can be controlled.

The pornography industry whose main goal is to profit from the selling of nudity is constantly finding ways to infiltrate the minds of the public. This industry is manipulative and destructive. An industry that portrays men and women as objects of lust and avenues for sex can lead to problems. These problems manifest themselves into events of rape and sexual assault. Because open sexuality is becoming such a social norm incidents of rape become far more frequent for the sole fact that purely sexual relations are deemed acceptable. However, more sexual freedom has only caused many “to fear that greater sexual freedom inevitably means promiscuity”(Worsnop). The author of the article somewhat hints sex as being more commonly accepted leads to a major problem. The problem lies in a sexual revolution being linked to acts of sexual assault. On the other hand, sexual assault can stem from a sexual addiction, which can all be compared to other addictions, “Sexual addiction can be understood by comparing it to other types of addictions. Individuals addicted to alcohol or other drugs, for example, develop a relationship with their "chemical(s) of choice” (Sex Addiction Q&A).

Although alcohol abuse and the influence of sex in the media are all justified causes that may lead to sexual assault incidents, the backgrounds of sexual predators is key in determining the cause of rape cases. These predators cannot really be put into a category, which makes it even harder to catch them. Not to mention, most predators have been found to indulge in sex crimes in their teen years and carry these behaviors into adulthood. However, some characteristics of these types of people help shed light on the causes of rape. Studies have shown individuals from low-income families are more inclined to become sexual predators. A New York University study showed, “some were unemployed, most of the offenders had jobs in unskilled occupations” (McNickle). Typically they had not gone beyond grammar school, but the average concealed a wide variety of educational backgrounds

One reason sex crimes occur are due to the lack of adequate educational practices in schools. Many students that are taught to avoid sexual abusive situations; however these tactics do not work because some students do not understand the concepts presented (Glaser). In addition, the economic stability of many sexual predators is also a known cause of sexual assault. Clearly, economic standards are a significant indication in many sexual assault cases. Schools in low-income areas can’t afford sexual education, and as a result this may lead to more sex offenders in these areas.

Consequently, sex crimes have become a growing concern in the last ten years. Yet, not much is truly known about the causes of these incidents. However, certain variables are involved in a large amount of sexual assault cases. Alcohol is a major factor in many rape charges. This leaves to question: do we need to make a change alcohol in consumption in order to limit the amount of sexual assaults? If so, the public must put harsher restrictions on current alcohol laws. In addition, a closer look must be taken at the way society today implores sexual images to the general public. With such a focus on lust, incidents of sexual assault are common. Some might argue sex is more of an addictive drug, which individuals must suffice. Furthermore, the background of many predators can provide better insight into why sexual assaults occur. Predators may not always be crazed individuals from low-income families, but can be normal working people. Unless a new solution is worked out, sexual assault is just going to keep growing on a national scale.

Branch, Shelly. “Health & Family: College Alcohol Abuse Injures, Kills Thousands.” Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Apr 9, 2002. pg. D.14

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Glaser, S. (1993, February 26). Violence against women. The CQ researcher, 3. Retrieved March 3, 2006, from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1993022600. Document ID: cqresrre1993022600.

McNickle, R. (1949). Control of sex offenses. In Editorial research reports 1949 (Vol. II). Washington: CQ Press. Retrieved March 3, 2006, from CQ Electronic Library, CQ Researcher, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1949121500. Document ID: cqresrre1949121500.

Schemo, Jean Diana.“Study Calculates the Effects Of College Drinking in U.S.” New York Times. (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Apr 10, 2002. pg. A.20

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Worsnop, R. L. (1970). Sexual revolution: myth or reality. In Editorial research reports 1970 (Vol. I). Washington: CQ Press. Retrieved March 3, 2006, from CQ Electronic Library, CQ Researcher, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1970040100. Document ID: cqresrre1970040100.