If you’ve been the victim of a sexual assault, you shouldn’t also be the target of stupid — and massively inappropriate — questions from the police. Questions that sound like they’re trying to gaslight you into thinking it was your fault or that you were a willing participant.

Questions like:

  • “What were you wearing?”
  • “Didn’t he buy you a pretty expensive dinner?”
  • “Did you say no? Are you sure he heard you?”
  • “Were you drinking? How much did you have to drink?”

These questions are stupid because they have nothing — ZERO — to do with the legal concept of sexual assault. Under Colorado’s sexual assault statute, there are two main aspects of sexual assault:

  1. The defendant sexually penetrated you or performed what is called an act of “sexual intrusion” on you; and
  2. You did not consent.

Sexual assault can also happen when the victim is “physically helpless” and the defendant knows that the victim hasn’t consented, or when the victim is incapable of “appraising the nature of his or her own conduct” (that is, is asleep or intoxicated and not making conscious choices) at the time the sexual act took place. CO’s statute covers a number of other acts, too, that can depend on the age of the victim, whether the victim is in custody or in the hospital, and other factors.

Questions from police officers that suggest the victim led their attacker on, enticed the attacker by wearing provocative clothing, or owed the attacker sexual favors in exchange for an expensive meal are improper, irrelevant, and designed to make the victim doubt whether they should press charges.

The Greer Law Group Can Help You Recover Damages for Sexual Assault

If you’ve been a victim of sexual assault, contact the Greer Law Group today. We help clients all over Colorado file civil claims against their attackers, recovering damages that can help you pay for your mental health and medical care, your lost wages, and the pain and suffering you endured during and after the attack. We understand how devastating it can be to have been the target of a sexual assault, and we’re here to help you recover your mental and physical well-being.

Call the Greer Law Group at 720-637-2467 or use our contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.