It is a scary world out there. You never know when something bad is going to happen. That is why it is important to be prepared for anything. And one of the most frightening things that can happen is being falsely accused of domestic violence.
False accusations of domestic violence can ruin your life. They can lead to you losing your job, your home, and even your children. The police often take false accusations seriously, so you could end up in jail even if you are innocent.
Speaking to domestic violence lawyers at this law firm and others of a similar nature, is an important step to take, and we will go into that in a short while.
Who can it happen to?
Domestic violence can happen to any gender, at any time, and in today’s world, we need to be a lot more understanding of those who are suffering and really listen to victims who need our support.
However, there are some instances where a false accusation can be made which can be incredibly jarring to the person being accused. Whilst this can be upsetting for all involved, it is important to deal with it calmly and properly, so as to not upset or provoke anyone else.
The important steps to take
There are steps you can take to protect yourself against false accusations of domestic violence. Here are five tips to help you stay safe:
Keep calm and collected
This is probably the most important thing you can do if you are accused of domestic violence. Getting angry or defensive will only make things worse. It is important to stay calm and try to talk to the person who is accusing you in a rational way.
You may want to bring a neutral party along to be with both of you at this time so you both have backup and can have a witness to the exchange, this will be helpful if it ever moves to trial, so no one can say anything that is false or exaggerated.
Gather evidence
If you have evidence that can prove you are innocent, make sure to collect it. This could include text messages, emails, witness statements, or anything else that can help show that you did not do what you are accused of.
This is important to collect, but you must also remember that you have to do this the right way. If you steal your accuser’s phone, or anyone else’s phone to get other messages, this will be detrimental to your case.
Anything that was directly sent to you, keep in a folder on your phone or laptop, a lawyer may need to collect any other evidence that comes to light.
Talk to a lawyer
You should never try to deal with false accusations on your own. A lawyer will be able to advise you on what to do and help you protect your rights.
A lawyer is an important factor in your case, they will be able to set it all out for you in a legal way and help you get what you need to stand your ground and fight back. You must be open and honest with them about everything.
Be careful what you say
Once you have been accused of domestic violence, anything you say could be used against you. So, it is important to be careful about what you say to the police, the person who is accusing you, and anyone else.
Do not fly off the handle and start accusing others or fighting, in doing so, you will mess up your case and show yourself to be someone who could have actually done it. You do not want that.
Emotions are high, take a step back and let your lawyer do the talking, getting riled up will weaken your case and cause more stress for both parties.
Keep a low profile
Once you have been accused of domestic violence, it is important to keep a low profile. Do not post anything on social media, and avoid talking to the media. The less attention you attract, the better.
You may want to go online and defend yourself or contact as many people as possible to state your case, but once anything you say is out there, people will stick to every word. Stay away from everything and focus on proving your innocence.
Think of this rationally, the person accusing you could be going through something that has made them do this, leaping on them and throwing words back in a public way will help no one.
Conclusion
If you are falsely accused of domestic violence, it is important to take quick and decisive action. By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your future.