BACK

13 Apr 2022

Have you been accused of sexual assault? Have you heard that many women lie about sexual assault and so you are likely not to go to prison?

At ABV Solicitors, our sexual offence solicitor will work hard to defend you if you are accused of sexual assault or rape, ensuring that your rights are met and that your side of the story is told.

Here, our sexual offence solicitor discusses common myths that you may have heard about sexual assault in the UK and the truth behind each one.

Myth- If someone is drunk, you cannot be arrested for sexual assault or rape

Fact- This is a myth and, as our sexual offence solicitor will tell you, there is no excuse for committing sexual assault or rape in the eyes of the law.

So, any event which revolves around sexual assault accusations means you need to contact our team.

Myth- Women lie about rape a lot

Fact- There is a common misconception that women who are raped or sexually assaulted lie, or exaggerate details in order to make their ordeal seem worse. Research has shown, however, that the number of people who lie about rape or sexual assault is small and, in an even sadder statistic, those who are under the age of 16 or have mental health issues are more likely to not report these horrendous incidents.

But if you have been accused of a sexual assault that you did not commit, please call ABV Solicitors for legal advice.

Myth- If someone didn’t fight it off, it doesn’t count as rape or sexual assault

Fact- If someone does not give consent for a sexual act to occur, it does not matter if they fight you or not, it is still considered sexual assault.

In many cases, a person who is being sexually assaulted may feel unable to move and may ‘shut down’, which is a very common reaction to trauma.

It is also worth noting that in some instances, people may use weapons, threats or intimidation to keep the person that they are assaulting quiet.

In short, whether or not the person fought back does not impact the seriousness of this kind of issue, so if you are on the receiving end of such a sexual assault accusation, please seek advice urgently.

Myth- You cannot rape or assault someone you are in a relationship with

Fact- This, unfortunately, used to be the case in marriages; a husband could not rape his wife.

But, in 2022, it is accepted that anyone who is in a relationship can commit sexual assault against the person they are with and, if you have been accused of sexually assaulting someone that you are dating or are married to, then you need to seek legal advice from our trained team at ABV Solicitors.

Myth- Men don’t get raped or sexually assaulted

Fact- This is a devastating misconception, which in the past has led to many men who have experienced sexual assault not coming forward and their abusers getting away with their actions. In a similar vein, women can commit sexual offences.

If you are accused of sexually assaulting a man, the sentence is just as severe as it would be if the accuser was a woman, so seek legal advice immediately.