In some States, the police may be able to issue a “Police Order” which usually can last up to 72 hours or they may be able to take out a protection order on your behalf.
Threats, abuse and harassment can be a criminal offence—but you may not be able to take legal action unless the harassment is enough to get a domestic violence order, or is considered sexual harassment or stalking.
Examples of harassment include offensive or derogatory jokes, racial or ethnic slurs, pressure for dates or sexual favors, unwelcome comments about a person's religion or religious garments, or offensive graffiti, cartoons or pictures.
Check your online safety
Check your social media accounts to make sure your personal details aren't available to the public. It's also useful to: make sure only your friends can see your social media posts, not the public. check privacy settings on social networking sites and only give basic information.
Verbal harassment is often defined as “language directed at another person that causes that person harm, typically in an emotional or psychological sense.” Most people generally agree that it is not just language.
What is Not workplace harassment? Legitimate and reasonable management actions such as actions taken to transfer demote, and discipline an employee provided these actions are conducted in a reasonable way are not considered workplace harassment.
Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information (including family medical history).
Sexual Harassment
It is the most common type of workplace harassment. It is illegal and must be taken seriously. Examples of sexual harassment are sharing sexual photos or posters, inappropriate sexual touching or gestures, passing sexual comments, invading someone's personal space sexually, etc.
The maximum penalties are terms of imprisonment of 3 years (menace, harass or cause offence), 5 years (standard aggravated offence – menace, harass or cause offence), 7 years (special aggravated offence – menace, harass or cause offence, 10 years (threat to kill), 7 years (threat to cause serious harm).
Verbal abuse alone is NOT a crime. This means that under the Domestic and Personal Violence Act, verbal abuse or verbal assault CAN ONLY be a crime if it falls under the scope of “intimidation”, which can be found in the following situation: Gaslighting. Threat.
If a neighbour is intimidating or harassing you, or causing you to fear for your safety or the safety of your family or your property, you can apply to a court for an apprehended personal violence order (APVO) under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (Part 5 Apprehended personal violence orders).
Threatening behavior is intentional behavior which would cause fear of injury or harm. It can include verbal or written words, actions, or behaviors that are intended to instill fear such as yelling at a person, destruction of property, slamming doors, or blocking and cornering.
Bullying and harassment can make you feel anxious and humiliated. You might also feel frustrated and angry at not being able to cope. Some people attempt to seek revenge, others feel scared and demotivated.
Victims of sexual harassment can suffer significant psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, headaches, sleep disorders, weight loss or gain, nausea, lowered self-esteem and sexual dysfunction.
Respond directly.
If you feel safe, directly confront the harasser. Simply say something like "That's not cool," or, "Please leave them alone." This can help sometimes, but there is also a possibility that a direct confrontation will escalate the situation.
Verbal abuse (also known as verbal aggression, verbal attack, verbal violence, verbal assault, psychic aggression, or psychic violence) is a type of psychological/mental abuse that involves the use of oral, gestured, and written language directed to a victim.
Indirect harassment occurs when the act was not aimed at the employee but creates a toxic atmosphere, or if simply put, a secondary victim is offended by an unwelcome conduct. This can manifest in several ways. A person is subjected to indirect harassment if he/she: Overhears an offensive joke or remark.