Reasons for False Allegations of Sexual Assault
To most people, the idea of making up false allegations of sexual assault is unconscionable. As a result, they assume that something had to have happened or that the accused must be guilty in some way. Afterall, why would anyone make up something so horrible?
The sad reality is that some people do make up allegations, although they’re not always aware of it. One thing that’s clear is that an accuser’s reasons for asserting false allegations are complex and often baffle others. Here are some of the reasons that accusers have used to level false accusations:
- Blackmail. The accuser may level false accusations at you in an attempt to blackmail you for financial gain.
- Mental illness. In perhaps the saddest false allegation cases, the accuser struggles with a mental illness that makes them believe their allegations are true.
- Sympathy. Similar to one suffering with mental illness, the accuser may have a pathological need to garner sympathy and attention.
- Revenge. Sometimes the accuser is someone who feels heartbroken, scorned or ignored, and they decide to get revenge by accusing sexual assault.
- Regret. In some cases, a person will feel shame and regret after having a consensual sexual experience. As a way to distance themselves from their actions, they may claim that rather than their choice, it was sexual assault.
- Infidelity. If the accuser was married or partnered when they had a sexual encounter and their partner finds out, they may think that claiming sexual assault is the only way to save their relationship.
Once the false allegation is made, the accuser may adopt a victimhood mentality that makes going back on their story difficult. Or, they may start believing their lies as they continue to receive more and more reinforcement and support.
Protecting Yourself from False Accusations
The truth is that we’ll never truly know why some people choose to lie about sexual assault; their reasonings may be too personal or complex. However, we do understand how the legal system works and the best ways for the accused to protect themselves.
Always Remain Silent
If you’ve been falsely accused of sexual assault, it may be tempting to immediately defend your innocence. You may think you can explain what really happened and resolve the situation, but remember: Anything you say has the potential to backfire or be used against you. That’s why it’s critically important for you to remain silent until you speak with an attorney.
Don’t Settle for a Public Defender
There’s nothing wrong with public defenders—they’re some of the hardest working, smartest attorneys out there. However, they’re also extremely overworked, which means they may not be able to dedicate the time to your case that it deserves. When your future is on the line, it’s always a good idea to hire a criminal defense attorney with the resources needed to give your case 110%.
Start Building Your Case Right Away
After you partner with an experienced criminal defense attorney, you’ll want to breathe a sigh of relief, but don’t get too comfortable! You’ll need to start building your case right away so that the details of the night in question stay fresh in your mind. Identify witnesses who could corroborate your whereabouts; track down receipts that prove you were somewhere else; take screenshots that bolster your story. Each piece of evidence will serve to support your claim of innocence.
