Alcohol and cannabis use and helping in sexual violence situations
Official title: The role of acute alcohol and cannabis use on sexual violence bystander intervention
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11446517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A bystander-focused study explores how alcohol and cannabis by those nearby affect whether a person will step in during sexual violence events.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $698,955 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032801-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adult bystanders who observe or anticipate potential sexual violence situations and who have some history of alcohol or cannabis use.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to or interest in bystander intervention training may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, this project will follow adult women and bystanders to see how drinking alcohol or using cannabis influences the likelihood of intervening in sexual violence situations. The study will examine real-time behaviors, rather than just surveys, to understand what factors make bystanders more or less likely to help. Researchers will look at differences between men and women in these scenarios and identify barriers and facilitators to providing support when substances are involved. Results could guide more effective, substance-aware bystander trainings and interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could improve bystander training and reduce sexual violence by helping people intervene more safely and effectively when substances are involved.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that bystander behavior can be influenced by context, but this project addresses gaps related to alcohol and cannabis use and behavior, which is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leone, Ruschelle Marie — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Leone, Ruschelle Marie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.