Rumours

The vast majority of sexual offences have no time limit on when charges can be brought. You will regularly see in the media cases where the allegations were of offences a great many years ago. The prosecution are however entitled to bring such charges if they believe that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that the prosecution is in the public interest. Instructing a good solicitor is important as their work will be key in making the best representations on your behalf.

Immediately seek legal representation. Engaging a professional with the expertise that you need and who will guide you through every step could result in a marked and crucial difference in the outcome of your case. See our section on police station representation and solicitors 

You are putting yourself at great risk if you do this without first speaking to a solicitor. If the police want to talk to you then you are entitled free of charge to have a solicitor present in questioning. Check the legal help section if you don’t already have a lawyer.

Putting it simply. No you should not, at least without the advice of a solicitor. The police are duty bound to investigate any report of a sexual offence. If you report people for making false rumours the police will need you to tell them what the rumours are. Once you have told them you have reported yourself for the content of the rumours and they must investigate. Police often view this “self reporting” as a sign of guilt effectively they will claim you were getting your story in first. If there are false rumours circulating about you and you know what it is the rumours are alleging then simply gather and secure any evidence you have that proves your innocence. Screenshot media, write a time line of your involvement with that person. Do not delete any media from your devices as this action when discovered by forensics may be viewed as suspicious. Identify a solicitor (see our Legal Help section) and contact them to advise them what is happening. They will not likely be able to do anything but remember for their name for if you are called in or arrested for questioning. Request this solicitor to the police to be present during questioning.

Begin compiling evidence as soon as possible. Many find the process therapeutic. 

Keep notes of every tiny detail that occurs to you. Note times and dates of everything. 

Develop a timeline for what happened when you have details of the accusation. Look for evidence of your whereabouts and your accuser’s whereabouts. 

Save letters, record telephone calls and even conversations with your False Accuser or people harassing you – even the police. Try to get hard copies of all information – encourage mail or email communications rather than telephone. Give a copy of everything to someone you trust – and your solicitor. In the remote chance of an accuser or a member of their family contacting you by phone – be ready and record the conversation – there is a smartphone app that enables this. 

Copy all electronic media. Save all text messages. Download all your Facebook activity and other Social Media. Facebook saves messages even if you’re ‘unfriended’. Take screenshots. Monitor Social Media activity of your accuser and their friends (without communicating with them). Take screenshots. 

NOW!!!!! The sooner you start this the better. As soon as you know there is an accusation against you. Make a time line of your history with the party accusing you. Secure by means of download and screenshots anything that may assist your defence. Do not delete anything from your devices doing so, if your phones end up been seized may look suspicious. Keep any evidence you gather in a safe place. We do advise with a trusted person in a different residence. Alternatively in cloud storage is good. You can turn the sign in credentials over to your solicitor. You could also email a copy to yourself. Simply put keep the evidence safe as you may come to depend on it.