Is there a relationship between alcohol and rape? Alcohol is referred to as the "social lubricant," but is it the reason some people go too far? In 30% of rapes, the rapist was under the influence. Does this mean that if the rapist had been sober, the rape wouldn't have occured?

Currently there isn't a direct causal relationship between alcohol and violence or rape. However, there does seem to be some linkage. Alcohol is "liquid courage." People do things that they wouldn't normally do while they're drunk and they blame their behavior on being drunk.