Considering recent events where those victimized by sexual assault have come forward against their harassers, it has also become easy to fall victim to false allegations. It has become convenient for some to falsely accuse others of sexual harassment without any shred of evidence or proof.
So, what should you do when you are falsely accused of sexual harassment? Here are a few tips to consider when this happens to you:
-
Confirm the story.
When you are accused of sexual harassment, it is crucial to fact-check the story of the accuser. Know the story of the person who is accusing you and what they have to say that made them decide to indict you.
-
Keep calm and cooperate with the investigation.
The best way to prove your innocence would be to keep calm and willingly cooperate with the investigation. Usually, your first reaction is to defend yourself and push back on the investigation. However, that will not help anyone except your accuser, especially when you are innocent.
The more frustrated you are, the less inclined people may be to listen to what you have to say in your own defense. It is best to get your story on record and provide an alibi and/or a list of witnesses to prove your innocence.
-
Create a written account and a timeline of what happened from your perspective.
One of the best ways to get your side on record is to provide a written account of what happened from your perspective. Include a thorough timeline of your actions. Make sure to not leave out any important details. An honest account from your point of view can then be used as evidence by the investigators to prove your innocence.
-
Provide an alibi and/or witnesses.
If the situation calls for it provide an alibi and a list of witnesses, especially if the accuser’s claims are not true. If you could prove that you were somewhere else at the time the accuser specifies, this could help attest to your innocence and allow the investigators to get to the truth.
-
Do not retaliate in any way.
If you’ve been falsely accused of sexual harassment, it is typical to feel frustration and rage against your accuser. You may even want to respond in a hostile manner or confront the individual who indicted you due to anger. Unfortunately, this will definitely work against you. It is recommended that you not retaliate in any way and for you to remain calm and cooperative during the investigation.
-
Hire an attorney.
This may not always be necessary, but if legal advice is needed, it may be best to hire a defense lawyer. This is done when the issue cannot be resolved with simple mediation. When it looks like the investigation is going against your favor despite your innocence, it could cause you to lose both your career and reputation. Defense lawyers can then give you advice and help plead your case.
Remember your rights as a citizen and stay calm and collected when you are accused wrongly. Do not angrily confront the accuser under any circumstances. For your legal guidance, hire a trustworthy and reliable criminal defense lawyer who can sort out the facts and help you establish your innocence.
Written by Kellie Bertels, an attorney at Bandre, Hunt and Snider in Jefferson City, MO. Bandre, Hunt and Snider are the best attorneys Jefferson City MO have to offer.