Survey highlights danger to young women drinkers

More than a third of young women claim to have been sexually assaulted while drunk, according to a survey.

The research, conducted by drinks industry watchdog The Portman Group, shows that almost four in 10 young women (36 per cent) have been sexually assaulted after getting drunk.

The "Anatomy of a big night out" survey, which was conducted among 500 men and 500 women aged 18-30, also found that 34 per cent of young women asked had unplanned or unprotected sex.

Two per cent of men said they had been sexually assaulted after drinking too much.

The study also revealed that woman are more likely to get into an argument (59 per cent) than men (45 per cent).

And more women (27 per cent) claimed to have been arrested or cautioned by police then men (16 per cent) when drunk.

Jean Coussins, chief executive of The Portman Group said: "These findings are disturbing. Alcohol affects your judgement and the fact that so many young women are being sexually assaulted after getting drunk is shocking.

"If you are planning a big night out make sure you always stay in control.

"What is most alarming of all is the fact that young women seem to be risking more than young men. They are getting into more fights, more arguments and are being arrested or cautioned by the police more than young men.

The findings coincide with the launch of The Portman Group's "drinks diary" scheme which encourages people to keep a record of how much alcohol they consume over a week.

The diary is available online at www.drinkaware.co.uk.