There are various reasons why you might be accused of a sexual assault you never committed in the first place, and not all of them are sinister. Sometimes, your accuser may simply be out for revenge, like an estranged spouse trying to get an upper hand during divorce or child custody trial. It could also be a case of regret after consensual sex. It could also be a case of mistaken identity.
No matter the motivation, sexual assault is a serious claim that you need to take seriously from the word go. While it might be tempting to shrug off the claim and hope that the accusation will simply die off since you are innocent, this is never the right course of action. If you are falsely accused of sexual assault, it is important that you take the following steps to safeguard your rights and interests.
Do not confront your accuser
It is tempting to try to reach out to your accuser either directly or through a proxy with the goal of confronting or trying to clear things with them. Wrong. Legally speaking, it is in your best interest that you avoid all forms of contact with your accuser until you are cleared. This will seal off the possibility of bringing further accusations against. And if avoiding your accuser is impossible due to child custody or employment arrangement, always ensure that a third party is present whenever you are in contact.
Do not let your emotions take control
Make no mistake, it is both frustrating and angering to be accused of sexual assault. However, you must learn to keep your emotions under control, and this means taking conscious responsibility for your next step and figuring out how to defend yourself. Do not lash out at your accuser for whatever reason as this will only hurt your case.
Being falsely accused of sexual assault can be devastating. In today’s political climate, a sexual assault accusation, however false can impact pretty much every area of your life. It is important that you know how to safeguard your rights when you are being accused of a crime you did not commit.