Investigating unwanted sexual experiences, mental health impacts, alcohol use, gender, social support, coping strategies and sexual consent among university students in Northern Ireland

Results suggest that rates for USEs among university students in Northern Ireland were high and indicated that USEs were associated with mental health outcomes. In addition, coping strategies and social support acted as mediators in the relationships between USEs and, mental health and alcohol use. Finally, qualitative methods using focus groups were utilised to explore the understanding of sexual consent and alcohol use among university students in Northern Ireland.

The key findings were (a) university students clearly indicated when consent has not been given and when it has been withdrawn, (b) alcohol does not cause USEs, but rather perpetrators use alcohol to excuse their behaviour, (c) students do not believe that their university and the police service respond adequately to disclosures of USEs nor do they support survivors, and (d) expressed the need for education on sexual consent and alcohol use in primary and secondary schools, and universities. <br><br>