Hello......I'm new...on here...

[Concerned Friend]

Hello! I'm a friend of someone who has just been falsely accused of rape of a family member over 15 years ago. Their distress and confusion is heartbreaking. Thank you for this site. In my effort to support, I browsed the net and came up with this wonderful forum. It has given me comfort knowing that there is so much good and sound advice to draw from....Keep up the good work! Thank you!

[friday]

hi, glad you found us
i cant offer much practical advice regarding procedures and the law but i do have two perfectly good ears (or should that be eyes? in which case they aren't too perfect...) anyway. we can listen. your friend is very lucky to have a friend like you but remember to look after yourself too. you may not be one falsely accused but you are still dealing with it and all that it brings up emotionally.
im sure someone with more knowledge of practical stuff will be along soon. but in the mean time i'll listen and try to help in anyway i can.

[Saffron]

Hi CF and welcome.
Your friend is lucky to have a friend like you. A lot of so called "mates" will desert you at the first sniff of an allegation like this.

The problem with Historical cases is that it is very difficult to prove innocence beyond saying "I didnt do it". Has your friend been interviewed by the police, or actually been charged? If he has been interviewed and charged, then I would strongly advise that he engages a specialist solicitor. It must be one who has a proven track record of successfully defending crimes of a sexual nature. A normal criminal sol will *not* do.

Tell him to write down everything he can remember about the time he is accused of carrying our this rape. (if he knows when he is supposed to have done it, of course. Sometimes the police will not tell you when you are supposed to have done it in case you have a cast iron alibi!) Sometimes even the smallest detail can be important.

If he does have an alibi, he must *not* tell the police this. They have been known to go back to the complainant with this information, and the complainant can then change the story to match the dates. In fact if he has any information that will help prove his innocence, he should give it straight to his solicitor, *not* the police - they have been known to "lose" information helpful to the defendant.

Hope this is helpful. Let us know how you get on.

Saffron