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07 Jul 2021

It comes as nothing short of a harrowing shock to discover that you have been accused of sexual assault.

As historic sexual offences continue to make it into the media, more and more people are coming forward claiming to be victims of such assaults. And if you are reminded of an event that happened a few years ago and you need some help with legal defence, it can be scary.

Luckily, if you have been accused of a historic sexual assault, our team at ABV Solicitors can help.

At ABV Solicitors, our sexual offence solicitor will represent you to the high standard you deserve when facing such defamatory accusations. We will liaise with police, other solicitors and courtroom professionals on your behalf, trying to prove your innocence and to get any punishments or sentences reduced.

So, what constitutes sexual assault in the UK and what are the ins and outs of it? Below, our sexual offence solicitor answers these questions and more.

What is historic sexual assault?

In simple terms, historic sexual assault covers rape or child sexual assault or abuse that took place a while ago.

While there have been a lot of stories in the media in relation to Operation Yewtree that are exploring incidents that are alleged to have occurred 30 or 40 years ago, this time frame is not always needed for it to be classed as historic; such assaults may have taken place in 2015 for example.

But, if you are accused of such an offence, contact our sexual offence solicitor for advice.

Is there a statute of limitations?

The UK legal system is a bit complicated when it comes to sexual assaults, leading to many cases being dropped or dismissed before trial as there are no solid legal guidelines.

However, there is one; if you were a child aged 13-15 in between the years of 1965 and 2004 and were seen to have consented to sex or the sexual act, you can no longer seek for the alleged offender to be prosecuted.

If you have been accused of committing this act within this time frame, talk to our team for more advice.

Can I still go to jail?

If you are found guilty, it is likely that you will face jail time as it is considered a serious offence.

If the sexual assault took place within the frame of 1956-2003, in the UK, you will be tried with the laws that existed at the time of the offence. If the charge was rape, you may face life imprisonment.

Will my privacy be respected?

Our team at ABV Solicitors will aim to ensure that your privacy is respected should your case lead to trial; you have the legal right to anonymity.

If found innocent, can I counter sue for defamation of character?

Yes, you can.

We at ABV Solicitors will always aim to help our clients if they wish to counter sue, especially when it comes to issues as serious as sexual assault or rape.