What is Harassment?

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Harassment is any form of unwanted and unwelcome behavior which may range from mildly unpleasant remarks to physical violence.

Harassment is termed sexual harassment if the unwanted behaviors are linked to your gender or sexual orientation. The EU definition of sexual harassment is "unwanted conduct of a sexual nature or other conduct based on sex affecting the dignity of men and women at work".

Call our harassment claim line on 0845 519 7798 or complete our harassment claim form

Racial harassment is when the behaviors are linked to your skin colour, race, cultural background, etc. In countries with sectarian tradition (eg as in Ireland) the term sectarian harassment is often used if the behaviors are linked to your religious beliefs or perceived religious origin or inclination. If the harassment is physical, the criminal law of assault may be appropriate. If the harassment comprises regular following, watching, repeated unsolicited contact or gifts, etc, the term stalking may be appropriate.

Discrimination is when you are treated differently (eg less favorably) because of your gender, race or disability.

The differences between harassment and bullying are summarised on the page on bullying. Briefly, harassment tends to have a strong physical component and is usually linked to gender, race, disability or physical violence; bullying tends to be a large number of incidents (individually trivial) over a long period comprising constant unjustified and unsubstantiated criticism. Areas of UK law that apply to harassment.

The principal areas of UK law relating to harassment comprise:

Sex Discrimination Act 1975: discrimination on the grounds of sex by dismissing an employee or submitting them to "any other detriment"

Race Relations Act 1976: ditto on racial grounds

Disability Discrimination Act 1995: ditto on grounds of disability

Protection from Harassment Act 1996: harassment and stalking

Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994: intentional harassment for causing another person harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior

Criminal law of assault

Bullying is the common denominator of harassment, discrimination, abuse, violence etc, so see other relevant laws on the legal page and case law page. The source of most bullying and harassment can usually be traced to one individual. Most people know one person in their life with this profile - who is it in your life?

How do I make a Discrimination or Harassment Claim?

If you are being discriminated or harassed in any way the call and speak to one of our network of solicitors and will handle you claim. They will process your claim and update you every step of the way until they have claimed the maximum amount of compensation to ease any suffering that you have had.

You can call our harassment claim line on 0845 519 7798 to speak to one of our harassment claim specialists or complete our online contact form and we will call you back within the hour.