Accused of Sexual Harassment at Work

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:

• City of London: 0207 624 7771 - our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.
• Brent & Camden London Office: 0207 624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333

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.