Harassment refers to behaviour that is unwanted, offensive, or intimidating and that causes distress or discomfort to the recipient. It can take various forms, including verbal, physical, or electronic communication, and may involve threats, insults, stalking, or other forms of persistent or intrusive behaviour. Harassment can occur in personal, professional, or online settings and may be motivated by factors such as race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics. In many jurisdictions, harassment is considered a form of misconduct or discrimination and may be subject to legal sanctions or civil remedies. Organisations and individuals often have policies and procedures in place to prevent and address harassment and to provide support to victims.
(either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n. the act of systematic and/or continued unwanted and annoying actions of one party or a group, including threats and demands. The purposes may vary, including racial prejudice, personal malice, an attempt to force someone to quit a job or grant sexual favors, apply illegal pressure to collect a bill or merely gain sadistic pleasure from making someone anxious or fearful. Such activities may be the basis for a lawsuit if due to discrimination based on race or sex, a violation on the statutory limitations on collection agencies, involve revenge by an ex-spouse, or be shown to be a form of blackmail (“I’ll stop bothering you if you’ll go to bed with me”). The victim may file a petition for a “stay away” (restraining) order, intended to prevent contact by the offensive party. A systematic pattern of harassment by an employee against another worker may subject the employer to a lawsuit for failure to protect the worker.
The Protection from Harassment Act (1994) makes it an offence to ‘pursue a course of action that amounts to harassment’, and to ‘put a person in fear of violence’. It does not, however, define harassment, and many instances of unacceptable behaviour are amenable to prosecution under these provisions.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 13th April, 2024.
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