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28 Dec 2022

Sexual assault is one of most serious crimes that you can be accused of.

And while the accusation of sexual assault may seem bad enough, there are some things that you can do which will actually make the situation worse.

Should you find yourself on the receiving end of a rape or sexual assault allegation, you need to be aware of the steps to take to minimise the damage and to ensure that you get the desired outcome should the case go to trial.

At ABV Solicitors, our sexual offence solicitor has defended clients who have been accused of everything from rape to upskirting and are well versed and trained in this area of the law. We pride ourselves on offering the best legal advice available in these cases and will tailor fit our advice to your unique case.

But, with that in mind, what are some of the biggest errors that you can make when you find yourself accused of a sexual offence? Our sexual offence solicitor details them below.

Ignore it

You know you are innocent, and so do your partner and friends, so surely, if you just ignore the allegation, it will go away, right? Unfortunately, no.

According to our sexual offence solicitor, even if you are innocent, the worst thing to do is to ignore the allegations and pretend that the accusation has not happened. It is important that you seek legal advice from our team as soon as possible, so we can begin working on your case to ensure that you get the best outcome.

Contact the accuser

You know it was a miscommunication or that the accuser has got the wrong end of the stick. So, if you contact them, it will straighten the entire situation out, won’t it? Even if you feel that this is the best course of action, don’t do it. This could be seen as an intimidation tactic from the prosecution and is likely to make the entire situation worse. Talk to our team, and we will handle the communication aspect of your case.

Delete messages or emails

So, you have been accused of sexual assault after being sent a barrage of nude photos from the person who is now accusing you. Should you delete them? No.

This will work as evidence in your favour, as will any emails, messages or other evidence of interactions between you and the accuser. Therefore, even if it seems distasteful, keep the images and all records of communication between you and the accuser.

Lie to your defence

Never lie to our team when you come to us for your legal defence. This will usually backfire and can cause a range of secondary issues with the defence.

It is normal to feel embarrassed in these instances, but don’t be. Our team is professional and will always aim to offer judgement-free advice and defence.

If you suddenly remember a detail in the middle of the night that is relevant to your case, be sure to call us as soon as you can so we will have it on record. In a similar vein, do not withhold information, and ensure that you share all of your evidence or records with us pertaining to contact with the accuser.