False accusations of sexual assault online

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How we helped a university student stop online defamation and harassment

False accusations of sexual assault can devastate a young person's life, especially for students navigating early adulthood while trying to focus on their studies and future. This was the experience of our client.

Searching for help after false online accusations of sexual assault

What to do when false allegations go viral

Legal response: harassment and defamation

The legal solution: letter of claim and platform takedowns

Why students must act fast to stop false online allegations

Life after false accusations: how our client regained control and confidence

Lawyers’ thoughts on the case

Searching for help after false online accusations of sexual assault

False allegations of sexual assault can cause devastating harm to a young person’s life, particularly for students trying to navigate the pressures of university while preparing for their future careers.

Our client, a university student, experienced this nightmare when false and damaging accusations were made against him by his ex-girlfriend on widely viewed platforms such as Twitter and TikTok. These allegations quickly gained traction, placing his reputation, mental health, and academic progress in jeopardy.

This case study looks at how we helped to bring the situation under control. We worked quickly to remove the defamatory content, advised our client on both his legal rights and next steps, and took firm action to stop the ongoing harassment.

 Our client, a 20-year-old accounting student from Liverpool, was at the beginning of his university life when he became the target of an intense and deeply distressing campaign of online harassment. It began after he ended a difficult relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

What started as indirect, strange online interactions through fake social media accounts quickly escalated. Over time, she posted videos, spread damaging rumours, and eventually made direct accusations that he had sexually assaulted her.

These claims were made publicly, with his name attached, and began to gain attention across platforms including Twitter and TikTok. The situation left him vulnerable, anxious, and unsure where to turn next.

What to do when false allegations go viral

By early 2022, things took a serious turn. One night, his ex-girlfriend posted a tweet accusing him of the raping her. The tweet quickly gathered attention. It received more than 140 likes, 40 comments, and several retweets. As far as online reputations go, this was deeply damaging. 

This wasn’t just a post buried in a private feed, this was a public false accusation that reached hundreds of people, many of whom were strangers who had no context, no facts, and no idea that what they were reading was entirely untrue.

This was not an isolated event. Before the tweet, the same ex-girlfriend had uploaded TikTok videos warning women to stay away from our client. She called him names, implied violent and abusive behaviour, and fed into a narrative that painted him as dangerous.

Even more disturbingly, she had sent him a pair of knickers in the post from a fetish website and bragged to friends about doing it (our client had the screenshots and messages to prove it). She also had a pattern of making similar allegations about others. At one point, she had accused several different men of rape or sexual assault including her father’s friend and her then-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend.

Her online activity followed a concerning pattern, and yet, our client was still left to pick up the pieces of his reputation.

Legal response: harassment and defamation

We recognised this case as a clear and ongoing situation of online harassment and defamation. Under UK law, harassment does not require threats or direct contact. It can take the form of repeated, unwanted behaviour that causes alarm or distress.

 In this case, the long trail of messages, posts, videos, and gestures, such as the offensive parcel sent to our client’s home, left little doubt. Defamation, which covers false statements published to others that cause serious harm to a person’s reputation, also applied. Publicly accusing someone of rape when it is not true meets the legal threshold for defamation without question.

 Our advice to the client included making a formal harassment report to the police. Although he had tried this before, the authorities initially dismissed him. We encouraged him to raise concerns about the discriminatory treatment he received and to insist on his right to be taken seriously, regardless of gender.

 We also advised him that harassment can be pursued through both the criminal and civil legal systems, giving him multiple pathways to protection.

The legal solution: letter of claim and platform takedowns

 A robust letter of claim was sent immediately to the ex-girlfriend. In this letter, we laid out the full extent of the evidence, including her online posts, private messages, and witness accounts from mutual friends. We made it clear that legal action would follow if she continued with her behaviour.

 At the same time, we contacted Twitter and TikTok to request the urgent removal of all defamatory content. The result was immediate. By the very next day, all tweets and videos falsely accusing our client of rape were deleted.

The ex-girlfriend did not respond to the letter formally, but the silence was telling. The defamation was removed, and the campaign of harassment was effectively shut down. Our client was relieved. While he did not have the funds to take the matter to court, he was deeply grateful to have the accusations removed and to have his name cleared online.

Why students must act fast to stop false online allegations

Time is critical when it comes to fighting online defamation, especially for students whose future careers and reputations are just beginning to take shape. In the UK, defamation claims come with a strict limitation period of only 12 months from the first date the material is published. Waiting too long can result in losing your right to take action entirely, even if the allegations are clearly untrue.

 For students, a single viral post can have long-lasting consequences, potentially affecting university life, job prospects, and personal relationships. Remaining silent or doing nothing can lead others to believe the falsehoods, especially when they go unchallenged.

The law recognises this risk and expects victims to act decisively to protect themselves. In our client's case, acting quickly allowed us to remove the content before it caused further harm.

The early intervention not only safeguarded his educational future but also helped restore his online reputation, allowing him to move forward with his life without the stigma of false accusations.

Life after false accusations: how our client regained control and confidence

The resolution of the legal matter marked a turning point in our client’s life. With the defamatory accusations removed and the campaign of harassment brought to an end, he was finally able to refocus on his studies and reengage with university life.

The fear and anxiety that had shadowed him for months began to lift, replaced with a sense of relief and restored confidence. What mattered most to him was the knowledge that he had strong legal protection going forward. He now understood his rights, had access to a trusted legal team, and knew that should any future incidents arise, he had the tools and legal support to respond effectively.

This empowerment was invaluable. He also made the decision to resume attending football matches, something he had previously avoided due to fear of seeing his ex-girlfriend. Reclaiming this part of his life was more than symbolic as it marked a return to normality and the enjoyment of everyday activities without the looming presence of false accusations. Knowing that the law was on his side gave him the freedom to live without fear, and to begin building his future once again.

Lawyers’ thoughts on the case

This case was a striking example of how deeply personal relationships can turn into complex legal issues when digital platforms are involved. The combination of harassment, defamation, and the speed at which content can spread online meant we had to act swiftly and strategically.

What stood out most was how vulnerable young men can be when faced with false accusations. There is often an assumption that the system only protects one side, and our client felt that deeply when the police initially dismissed his concerns.

However, the law is clear. Harassment and defamation are serious matters regardless of the victim's gender. By taking early legal action, collecting detailed evidence, and framing the issue within both civil and digital legal frameworks, we were able to bring the matter to a close without going to court.

The case underscores the importance of evidence, timing, and assertive legal representation in the digital age.