Think I've seriously eff'd up

[Scaredofet]

Hi all

I think I've massively messed up an investigation at work and I've not slept for 2 days, just wondering how bad this is please.

I was appointed as investigating officer for a violent attack that happened last week.

There wasn't a grievance meeting, it was not required due to it being a report of violence and company needing to address asap.

I just needed to get the statements from everyone and ask q's etc.

But, I slipped into grievance meeting mode with the victim and asked the q regarding their ideal resolution 😭 i made sure to say the q doesnt necessarily mean it could be resolved as they wish but thsts asked as we'd genuinely wanted to hear what they had to say about resolution etc etc. and that's all noted. The victim really appreciated being asked the q and surprisingly didn't say the other person should be sacked, they just wanted to be put on another shift so they'd never see them again.

Obviously this q is in the notes THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE PERP in their info pack 😩

Peraonnel are saying that q from me is probably going to give them grounds to appeal (obviously i dont know what the decision will be but I'd be astounded if it's not dismissal) and apparently all the higher management team are really pissed off at the prospect they might get away with it on a technicality 😭

I honestly feel sick and I don't know what to do 😔 I've not really eaten since Monday. I love my job and I've never had any problems in 37 years of working. Is there any way I'm not massively in the shit here or shall I just leave? ☹️

I don't need to read it again. I fully understand you don't believe a victim of sexual assault when she says she has been sexually assaulted. Most sexual assaults by their nature are not carried out in front of witnesses. For criminal proceedings tproof needs to be beyond reasonable doubt but in civil settings there is a balance of probabilities. The outcome at the company should never have been based purely on whether there was enough evidence to pursue a criminal charge.

And they will never know at your company that is for sure. Because they chose not to believe her. This remains disgusting and why women don't speak out.

You may be in HR but fail to understand the law.