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Accused of Sexual Harassment at Work

Sexual harassment in the workplace leading to a police interview and investigation is a very common and serious offence. It is widely acknowledged that you can be disciplined under employment law for sexual harassment, but it is important that people are also aware of the criminal consequences of sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

Please note that we are a criminal solicitor’s firm, and do not deal with employment disputes. We can however advise on criminal law and police investigations.

Common Questions are - 

Do I have to pay for a solicitor at the police station?

We can provide Free and Independent advice at the police station so that you are not required to pay or on a private basis.

How do I get a Solicitor for the police station interview?

Once you make contact by telephone or online we can discuss instructing us. We can consult with you in advance if required and assess the case. 

What is the role of the Duty Solicitor?

The Duty Solicitor is provided if required where you do not have your own Solicitor. We will explain the benefits of using your Specialist Solicitor to provide advice over the Duty Solicitor who provides Free advice on Rota call-out.

Can a Solicitor contact the Police?

We will normally be acting on your behalf in contacting the Police to obtain evidence first to discuss with you

Please note the evidence from the work investigation can be used against you by the police for a criminal case.

In some cases, allegations of sexual harassment at work could be prosecuted under a range of sexual offences, including sexual assault and rape. These offences have the potential to carry significant penalties for anyone that is found guilty.

We can represent you at the Police Station and provide if required Free and independent Police Station advice or advice on an Enhanced Private Basis where required. We have dealt with business owners, Directors, Professionals, and Senior Managers.

The call from the police can be the start of a nightmare, so it’s important to think carefully before attending with an inexperienced lawyer or one who is too busy to offer you an advance meeting.

When invited for a voluntary police interview, we will call the police and obtain as much disclosure as possible of the allegations. Our sole job will be to advise you on whether to answer police questions. For more on this, see our senior partner's specialist article on whether to say no comment in the interview.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

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Recent Cases

There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.

Read more cases

At JD Spicer Zeb, we have a wealth of expertise and experience in handling cases where criminal proceedings are launched against individuals accused of sexual harassment at work. Our strong track record of success in a range of sexual offence cases ensures that your case will be in the safest pair of hands, no matter your circumstances.

We understand how distressing these situations can be, particularly where you have been wrongly accused of sexual harassment at work. We make sure to provide clear, straightforward advice and close personal support to help ensure that you understand your position and how your case is progressing.

Our sexual harassment at work solicitors provide:

  • 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
  • Representation anywhere in England or Wales
  • Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
  • Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

How can we help?

Common questions

We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.

How quickly do you respond?

We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.

Can you get cases dropped?

Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.

We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you. 

Have you won any awards?

OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED - 

"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".

Do you offer free consultations?

Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about  –

  • Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
  • Public and private funding benefits.
  • Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
  • An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
  • Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
  • The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
  • Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
  • Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
  • Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
  • If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
  • This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
  • Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.

Consultations do not apply to the following cases –

  • If we do not intend to take the case on.
  • Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
  • In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
  • Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
  • The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
  • The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
  • In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
  • If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
  • If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance. 
  • If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
  • If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
  • To businesses.
  • Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
  • Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
  • Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
  • Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
  • If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
  • If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.

Speak to our sexual harassment at work solicitors now

For a free initial consultation subject to exceptions on your legal position and the available options with regards to sexual harassment at work please call 0207 624 7771.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

You can also email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.

Please note that we are a criminal solicitor’s firm, and do not deal with employment disputes.

Our expertise with sexual harassment at work

Seeking immediate legal counsel is essential in these scenarios, including where you have been falsely accused of sexual harassment at work. No matter what your case involves, our expert team will be able to provide you with the support you need to achieve a positive outcome.

When instructed, our team will take all of the necessary actions to build an effective defence against the specific sexual offence allegations you are facing. Our team’s support will help you to clearly establish your position and what the potential outcomes of your case are likely to be.

Over the years, we have established a reputation as one of the country’s leading criminal law firms, with specialist expertise in supporting individuals facing a wide range of criminal and sexual offences.

We also have close links with many of the country’s leading criminal defence barristers who handle a wide range of sexual offences, including those stemming from sexual harassment at work crimes.

We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation and have also achieved the Lexcel accreditation, reflecting the high standards of our legal practice.

As a testament to the high standards of client care our team provides, we frequently receive referrals and recommendations from clients who have been satisfied with our legal services which we have been providing for over 45 years.

Common questions about sexual harassment at work

What is sexual harassment at work?

Sexual harassment is defined under section 26(2) of the Equality Act 2010 as:

  • (2) A harasses B if –
    • (a) A engages in unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, and
  • (b) the conduct has the purpose or effect referred to in subsection(1(b)), namely the effect of violating B’s dignity; or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for B.

Please note that this is an employment matter and we do not advise on employment law. You will need a specialist employment firm for this. See criminal law offences you risk being prosecuted for below.

Is sexual harassment at work a crime?

‘Sexual harassment’ is not prosecuted as its own criminal offence but is instead prosecuted under a number of different offences, with the most common being sexual assault or rape, malicious communications, harassment or stalking. These offences can commonly take place inside the workplace, or even at work events and parties.

Sexual assault is an offence contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which states that somebody commits an offence if:

  • They intentionally touch another person
  • The touching is sexual
  • The other person does not consent to the touching
  • They do not reasonably believe that the other person consented.

Rape is an offence contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act which consists of non-consensual vaginal, anal, and/or oral intercourse. Somebody would commit an offence of rape if:

  • Someone intentionally penetrated the vagina anus or mouth of another person
  • The other person did not consent to this
  • The offender did not reasonably believe that they consented

Although sexual assault and rape are the most common sexual offences, every case of sexual harassment is different and it can take many different forms. Further, it is important to note that sexual harassment at work can be a single one-off incident, or a pattern of similar behaviour.

Sexual harassment at work can be anything from making inappropriate sexual remarks about a colleague’s appearance or sharing pornographic images or other sexual contact in the workplace.

Where could sexual harassment occur?

Sexual harassment could occur in many ways, and it is important to note that it could occur in any setting including:

  • Birthdays
  • Work parties
  • Events
  • Restaurants
  • Clubs
  • Gyms
  • Train
  • Retail stores
  • Supermarkets

The most common ways in which sexual harassment may occur:

  • Unwanted sexual comments, joke, or innuendos
  • Persistent requests for dates or sexual favours
  • Intoxicated through drink and drugs
  • Inappropriate gestures
  • Unwanted touching
  • Malicious communications/harassment/stalking
  • Sexting
  • Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favours.
  • Threatening behaviours if sexual advances are rejected
  • Pressure/manipulation
  • Creating a hostile environment
  • Abusing a position of authority

Both lists above are not an exhaustive as there are many other situations which could result you in committing the offence of sexual harassment. It is therefore always important to be aware of this form of behaviour and always remember to work in environments that are safe, respectful and free from any kind of harassment. 

Who do our sexual harassment at work solicitors represent?

We represent anybody who has been accused of sexual harassment in the workplace. These include employees, employers and people who are self-employed. Our most common clients include, but are not limited to:

  • Doctors
  • Solicitors & Lawyers
  • Nurses
  • Police officers
  • Teachers
  • Music tutors
  • Sports coaches
  • Taxi drivers
  • Care workers
  • Child minders/babysitters
  • Accountants
  • Employers & Managers

We have had many clients who are employees or employers accused of sexual offences arising from work gatherings, parties or online groups and social media.

What should you do if you are accused of sexual harassment at work?

When an allegation of sexual harassment is reported to police you will be contacted by the police. It is important that you receive advice from an experienced solicitor prior to your police station interview. Our solicitors have years of experience in dealing with pre-charge sexual offence cases and can help you through this.

Once you have had your police station interview, it is likely that you will be released on investigation prior to a charging decision being made or bailed to return to the police station.

To avoid a charge where it is possible, we can make written representations to the police and persuade them to drop the investigation. We can argue this either on the grounds that there is not enough evidence to prosecute, or that prosecution would not be in the public interest. It is crucial that you instruct an experienced solicitor to write these representations on your behalf.

Please read our article on ‘Can the police drop charges against me?’ to find out more.

If you are charged, you will be asked to attend court. You will need to be in regular contact with an experienced criminal solicitor, who you can trust to represent you and who will mitigate for the best possible outcome. Similarly, before court we can make written representations to the Crown Prosecution Service in attempt to persuade them to drop the proceedings.

Please read our article on ‘How can I get the CPS to drop charges against me?’ to find out more.

Contact our sexual harassment at work solicitors today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation, or to speak to us confidentially about allegations of sexual harassment at work, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialist sexual offence solicitors.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of sexual harassment at work solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for sexual harassment criminal offence allegations

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert criminal defence solicitors, as well as immediate representation and advice on dealing with allegations relating to sexual harassment at work.

We are available to represent clients all over England and Wales at any time, so please contact our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

How can we help?