False allegation of sexual assault after a date or an argument

The aim of this article is to make my network aware, that dating habits have changed. It happens more frequently today, that women call the police because they feel assaulted. When at the same time, from a male perspective, it was only a kiss and/or "making out".

People must not fear such charges and be assured, that justice usually is served. Meaning, such cases get closed as quickly as they are opened. However, when injuries are documented and no witnesses can help, it can be a very tough spot to be in for accused people.

In the past few years I helped multiple male clients defending against false charges for sexual assault by women. The charges were typically raised after spending time with a new acquaintance, either out in the street or at home in someone's apartment.

My clients all had in common that they met with women, had drinks, good conversations, laughter at a restaurant or pub and then went outside to either catch a train/taxi seperately or to go home together.

Eventually, there came a point where the women suddenly and very surprisingly claimed they did not agree with intimacy. For example, she did not agree with kisses or touches. In other words, trying to kiss a woman as part of a date or an intimate touch led to the women informing the police and raising a sexual assault claim. Pushing on and continuing to kiss a woman after she said no, is very risky.

Clients should also be aware the What's App and other electronic communication can be used as evidence.

At the same time, I was made aware, that it is increasingly popular among younger women, to immediately inform the police, once a male partner on a date makes a physical advance. It is something they even brag about among peers. In other words, it seems to have become common among younger women, to view an attempt to kiss them or touch them as part of a date as criminal. It takes very little to involve the police, there is little self-doubt with the accuser and most of all, no fear at all of a false accusation charge.

At the same time, the police has an obligation to investigate. They must summon the accused person and question them.

In other cases, there were couples who had been in a relationship for a while who ended up arguing. Often times arguments are over jealousy. Then, the women ended up claiming, that they were physically assaulted by the men. With nobody else but the couple present, it was impossible for outsiders to know, what actually occurred. When the woman can prove she had injuries it becomes very challenging to defend the men.

This often leads to the accused person being arrested until all involved people were questioned.

My advice:

• never communicate in writing about situations which could lead to criminal charges. For example escalating arguments and unwanted kisses or touches
• be careful with what type of pictures are taken with the phone during a date
• be aware that injuries as part of an argument can always very easily be documented by simply taking a picture with the phone
• end a date and walk away the minute you feel the other person is not comfortable with further advances or even says so specifically
• do not panic if you are summoned by the police for a questioning. prepare yourself, make a good strategy and attend the questioning.