Understanding US College Women’s Self-Reported Experiences Resisting Sexual Assault: A Qualitative Analysis

= 125), content analysis revealed that women perceived risk due to perpetrator behaviors (76%; e.g. unwanted touching, pressure), environmental context (41.6%; e.g. isolation, substance presence), and internal cues (28.8%; e.g. discomfort, prior experiences). Nearly a third of women (31.3%) reported using multiple tactics to resist SA, with the most common resistance tactic being non-forceful physical means (48%; e.g. fleeing). Alcohol and/or cannabis use was involved in 52.4% of situations, most commonly alcohol. Risk factors and resistance tactics varied across substance use categories. Findings highlight that a significant percentage of women experience SA risk and resist, even in situations involving substances. Further, findings suggest that women who reported alcohol or cannabis use in a situation or themselves varied in what risks they noticed and how they resisted.