Pre‐Drinking and Its Relationship to Sexual Diversity and Sexual Harassment in Nightlife Settings
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: 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.
Source: Drug and Alcohol Review
DOI: 10.1111/dar.70275
Authors: Eric Koukounas, Kira Button, Peter Miller
Institution: Deakin University
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7224264878