A while ago I posted in here about a long time friend of mine getting accused of assault by a 15 year old girl. To keep a long story short there is a police investigation going on. My friend is still working at our company but recently mhltiple women colleagues of ours went to complain about him still being here. One of them is put on probation now for spreading workplace gossip and she might lose her position.
Anyway he basically begged our group chat (all guys) to come out and have drinks with him because he needs to talk with us about it. So we went. And he was telling us that he didn’t do it, asking us if we believe him, etc. Three of the guys told him that they believe him, but me and another guy didn’t say anything. He’s really mad at me now because we’re childhood friends and he expected me to believe him.
I don’t know why I chose to say nothing. I guess what my sister told me was true, if I know him so well and STILL think there’s a chance it’s true, it’s because it really could be true. And honestly, I didn’t like the way he talked about the 15 year old kid accusing him of SA. Also I find it kind of ridiculous that the women we work with got into trouble for saying they’re worried about working with a suspected rapist. I just think it’s a legitimate safety concern for them and even if he’s innocent it’s fair for them to voice out about it. And I’m mad that he thinks they should all get fired for talking about it.
Mostly I’m just sad that this is all happening and that I’m losing so much respect for a long time friend. For the record, I’m not saying that now I totally believe he did it. But I’m just losing a lot of respect for him.
Comments
You’re a good person. Keep standing up for what’s right.
To add: Another reason I didn’t say anything, when he asked if we believe him, is because one of the guys (the other one who didn’t answer him) asked him how he even knows this teenage girl. And his answer sounded (to me at least) a little nonsensical. I won’t go into specifics because I guess it’s still part of a police investigation and all. Look, even if he didn’t rape her, something fishy happened, and I just get bad vibes.
An individual is considered innocent until proven guilty, and it is the duty of law enforcement to prove their guilt.
its too easy for one to accuse a male for SA, and it ruin his career and life in an instant. Put yourself in his shoes, that’s my advice