Sexual assault is a serious allegation that can expose the accused - guilty or not - to dire repercussions under Title IX. If someone has falsely accused you of said misconduct on your school campus, there are a million things you should be doing. So, I felt it would make sense to provide you with some insight as to what not to do:

Do not approach the alleged victim

When you are first unexpectedly notified of your allegations, you'll feel a whirlwind of emotions. You'll feel shock, sadness, anger, and even fear for your reputation and your future. In such a vulnerable and emotional state, many students act impulsively. They find the complainant and approach them, not to retaliate, but to ask for an explanation or to convince them to tell the truth. Regardless of your intentions, this is one of the worst things you can do in your situation. When you approach an alleged victim, you give them an opportunity to further damage your reputation. They may have misinterpreted or exaggerated what you said, or claim that you were angry and even violent when you approached them. This does not help your case in any way.

Do not partake in suspicious activities and behaviors

Being accused of sexual misconduct on a college campus is a stressful and anxiety-riddled experience, especially if you feel like these allegations are false. With so much on the line, students tend to either overreact or underreact in these circumstances. Students who feel they're innocent may become paranoid, and do things that can be perceived as incriminating, like destroying evidence or leaving out facts that paint them in a negative light. Some students develop an overconfident attitude and do little to defend themselves in the midst of this process. They genuinely believe that since they didn't commit the misconduct, that there's no way a committee will find them responsible for a violation. Both of these reactions are harmful and can make you look suspicious in the eyes of school authorities. With the guidance of an attorney, you can react the appropriate way.

Do not accept an advisor or counsel recommended by the school

In the minds of many, schools, staff and faculty members always have the best interest of the student in mind. Unfortunately, this isn't always true. When a school recommends an advisor to help you throughout this process, it's important you recognize that they are still an employee of the school. The school makes out their check, and that's where their loyalty lies. To find an advisor that is truly on your side, you should retain a student defense attorney that isn't associated with your institution.

Title IX Advisor Helping Clients Nationwide

If you've been accused of violating Title IX at your college or university, you need to get in contact with a skilled student defense attorney immediately.  National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento has extensive experience helping students in your situation overcome their allegations by helping them build a solid defense. He has the skill, experience, and expertise to help you do the same. If you have questions about your case or want to know more about him or his firm, contact him online or give him a call at 888-535-3686 today.