How to Hold a Politician Legally Responsible for Sexual Abuse

In the past few years, especially with the onset of the “Me Too” movement, plenty of people have come forward with horrifying allegations against major film producers, businessmen, and politicians abusing their power. While stories of sexual assault or harassment at the workplace or by people in positions of power are not new, what’s different this time around is that both the general public and the legal system are determined to punish these crimes. 

If you’ve recently suffered through a terrible experience with an individual in power, or are curious to learn more about how crimes of this nature against politicians are prosecuted, then read on for more information.

Hold Onto Evidence

The first thing that victims of sexual abuse or even verbal harassment need to do is to hold onto the relevant evidence. Whether you received a suspicious text or a problematic email, these are all bits of evidence to hold onto to help build your case later on. If something more egregious occurred and you were so much as touched in a way that felt inappropriate, then you should tell a supervisor or work colleague immediately. If your line of work does not have an HR office for you to submit a formal complaint, you may need to consider filing a police report right away. While there may be some gray areas involved – your lawyer, which we will talk about in the point below, will be able to better advise you – you should go to the police if you have experienced assault or rape. The requisite rape kit procedures, as well as the police report, will help make your case stronger in court. You may also be helping authorities compile DNA evidence, which will only help your case and ensure that the politician in question is held accountable. 

Hire a Lawyer

Politicians are powerful people – sometimes, too powerful, and they can exercise every option available to stifle evidence against them. Sadly, there are other people in their circle who may be compelled to help them control the narrative, from powerful public relations firms, law enforcement officials, and other colleagues who may have a vested interest in keeping them protected. In all cases, hiring a lawyer is the best thing you can do not only to ensure that you have a strong case but to also protect yourself from the inevitable wave of slander that hits most victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by powerful politicians. You can look for a celebrity politician sexual assault lawyer who will go to bat for you and help you put together a solid case. Someone with that level of clout can hire other public relations representatives on the victim’s behalf, and other “helpers” who will not only work on the case but can offer an extra measure of protection as well. The sad truth is that the first action a disgraced politician usually takes is to attack the credibility of the victim, so anyone accusing them of sexual assault will need all the help they can get. The last thing a victim needs is to be held by the throat in the court of public opinion.

Prepare for the Long Haul

While there has been a sea change in terms of public opinion and the ways in which powerful people abusing said power are perceived, that does not mean that they face consequences straight away. There will be no sentencing and no firings. Not quickly anyway. At most, if the evidence is particularly damning, and the politician has no allies within their immediate sphere willing to go out on a limb for them, then they will resign. 

Otherwise, it will take a long time. A civil lawsuit may be quicker, but a lawyer can assess the situation and advise you on the right path to pursue. If it does go to trial – and if the politician in question enjoys a certain level of renown and media attention – then victims can expect to dedicate at least a year of their life before justice is served. While this may be a sobering thought, it is worth remembering that the chances of getting a crime like this prosecuted these days are high.

While those operating in Hollywood or in the business world are more likely to face consequences these days, most politicians remain fairly protected. However, victims should not lose hope. Given the profound ways in which the culture has changed, things are bound to take a turn for the better eventually. The most important thing you must do to hold a politician legally responsible for their actions is to hire a talented lawyer. They can make all the difference when it comes to filing a case against a powerful politician.