Being accused of a crime is, by all means, devastating. It gets worse if you are accused of a crime like sexual assault. Besides a ruined reputation, a conviction for sex assault can not only earn you years in jail but also a lifetime slot in the sex offender’s register.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to find yourself in a situation where someone you thought you had a consensual contact with is accusing you of rape. Regardless of the motive, this is a big deal. As such, it is in your best interest that you take the accusation seriously.
So, what is date rape?
Date rape or acquaintance rape refers to a sexual assault that is committed by someone well-known to the victim. An example would be two classmates who attended a party where alcohol was served and ended up in bed only for one to come up with rape allegations thereafter.
But when exactly can you be accused of date rape?
Date rape, like most sexual assault accusations, ultimately boils down to each party’s story about what actually happened. That said, here are two instances when you can be accused of acquaintance rape:
- If alcohol was involved – Consent is a crucial component of any sexual act. Thus, in the eyes of the law, a person may not properly consent to sex when they are drunk. If it is established that your accuser was inebriated or even passed out when the said sexual act took place, you will have an uphill task arguing that they consented to the sexual encounter.
- 2. If there are traces of date drugs in your accuser’s system – During the investigation, your accuser may take tests to establish any traces of date rape drugs in their system. A positive result for drugs like Rohypnol, Valium or Ketamine will most likely complicate matters for you.
Make no mistake, being accused of sexual assault is a big deal. Understanding your defense options is key to fighting the charges and realizing a favorable outcome for your case.