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It may surprise a lot of people to learn that there is a great number of different types of behaviors that are considered harassment.
When speaking of harassment, many people initially think of sexual harassment, but harassment is a broad term that encompasses many different types of behaviors that are subject to both civil liability and criminal punishment.
While this article discusses the various types of harassment, it is by no means comprehensive. State laws regarding harassment vary, so make sure to research the laws in your specific area to understand what behaviors constitute harassment and discrimination.
Examples of types of behaviors that are considered harassment:
- Racial harassment
- Personal harassment
- Workplace harassment
- Bullying
- Age harassment
- Harassment of disabled people
- Harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation
- Sexual harassment
- Religious harassment
- Harassment for political beliefs
- Stalking
- Battery
- Assault
Individuals can bring civil lawsuits for civil harassment in order to seek monetary compensation for damages done to them by another party. Additionally, a civil court can also order the other party to cease their harmful and threatening behavior.
Harassment is criminal when one person annoys, terrorizes, or torments another person with the intention to threaten them and cause them to fear for their life, their safety, or their family’s safety. Generally, in order to constitute harassment, there must be a credible threat that a reasonable person would fear for their safety.
The state brings charges for criminal harassment in order to impose punishments for the crimes. This punishment can include jail time, probation or community service. The degree of charge for harassment ranges from misdemeanor to felony.
Victims of harassment can petition the court for restraining orders or orders of protection to stop someone from continuing the harassing behavior.
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