Harassment

Criminal harassment can include a broad range of behaviors and actions, including stalking, cyberstalking (online harassment), threats, harassing phone calls, and common assault. Generally, criminal harassment, regardless of the action, must convey a threat of fear or threat to one’s personal safety or the safety of their family.

Common harassing actions can include the following:

-Repeatedly following someone from place to place.
-Repeatedly contacting someone and making threats.
-Stalking someone and sitting outside their house or following them.
-Threatening someone’s family members.
-Repeatedly calling someone on the phone and making verbal threats.

Penalties for Criminal Harassment

Charges for criminal harassment can vary, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the level of threat, whether the actions were constant and prohibited by a restraining order, or targeted someone based race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Harassment and Civil Charges

Criminal harassment varies from other civil offenses such as workplace or housing discrimination. While these may or may not constitute criminal actions, harassment in the workplace against those in a protected class may allow the injured party to file a civil claim or workplace discrimination claim against the employer.

Protecting yourself against harassment

If you are the victim of criminal harassment you have the right to contact the police and petition the court for a restraining order or an order of protection. Police will also investigate serious harassment claims and file charges as needed.

If you are the victim of workplace harassment you may have protections which are outlined under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII.

For example, employees who are harassed for their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation can file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC will then investigate the claim. In some cases, these employees may also have the right to a federal discrimination lawsuit under Title VII.