Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

Slander? Libel? Defemation? Non-employee of a government facility

My girlfriend is currently a resident of a government run drug rehabilitation facility in Virginia. She is an attractive 25 year old woman whom has dealt with men who have treated differently because of her looks (getting jobs, etc). As part of her rehabilitation they try to correct personality flaws. Recently there was an incident in the rehab facility in which several men said inappropriate things and wrote her letters that made her uncomfortable. She told the counselor assigned to her about the incident. This escalated to the assistant director of the facility. He kicked out the offenders and claimed that she was guilty of provoking them (as far as I am aware she did nothing). He then called her a prostitute for using her looks to get what she wants and then forced her to admit she was a prostitute (even though she has never taken money in exchange for sex). This could affect her rehab for the next year.

I am encouraging her to stand up for herself and file a complaint. I researched Virginia laws regarding what is prostitution and what is slander/libel/sexual harrassment and she is not guilty of 'prostitution'. Taking legal action I don't feel is necessary, I just want to arm her with facts so she can file a solid complaint


Asked on 11/30/07, 4:33 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Slander? Libel? Defemation? Non-employee of a government facility

Your girl friend should certainly be able to file an effective complaint regarding the incident described with the folks who run the shelter without her being concerned as to whether the facts underlying this complaint necessarily make for a viable case of defamation under Virginia law.

Read more
Answered on 12/01/07, 5:11 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More General Civil Litigation questions and answers in Virginia