Women behaving badly

Ten per cent of women have drunk themselves unconscious, according to a survey conducted by Company magazine. This provides further confirmation of the increasing problem of the "ladette" or "girls behaving badly" syndrome.

The survey also shows that a third of what is known as the Bridget Jones generation admits to having unprotected sex while inebriated. Among women aged between16 and 34, 40 per cent said they had become so drunk they had no memory of what had gone on the night before. The figure rose to 57 per cent among those younger than 24.

One thousand women were surveyed and one in seven had had a fight while drinking and twenty per cent had lost keys or valuables during a drinking binge. Half of the women had walked home alone while drunk. The findings strengthen further the perception that binge drinking is common among young women who are more likely to be single, have available cash, and have more spare time than their older counterparts.

Many young women in this category become so drunk, often at least once a week, that they are unable to make responsible decisions about matters such as sex, nor are they able to ensure that they are not vulnerable to attack. David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has recently proposed changes to the laws which are aimed at convicting date rapists. The drinking habits of the young women described in the survey put them in particular danger of such offences.

Under the reforms, a defendant will have to show that he took reasonable steps to establish consent. Circumstances under which it will be presumed that consent was absent will include a woman being unconscious through drink or sleep.

It is a medical fact that women cannot drink like men although it appears that many try to do so. These are putting themselves at considerable risk.

Sam Baker, the editor of Company, said women should go out having made a few simple preparations such as establishing cab numbers.

"Young women should be able to go out and enjoy themselves and a drink whenever they like and fortunately it is easy to prevent contributing to these alarming statistics," he said.

"With a few simple preparations; cab numbers for example or a plan to alternate water and wine anyone can have a fantastic night out knowing that they'll be safe and healthy at the end of it!"

Mr Barker's suggestions in his magazine are sensible in part, although it does not seem wise to encourage young women to drink to any excess they choose as long as they have arranged for a taxi or drink the occasional glass of water. Besides all the risks which remain and which are made plain in the survey, women are more susceptible than men to medical problems arising from alcohol. Researchers recently showed that heavy drinking among women was associated with the development of breast cancer.