Adult and Community Services

Harassment

Harassment is any form of unwanted or unwelcomed behaviour which may range from mildly unpleasant remarks to physical violence.

Harassment can take many forms including:

Sexual Harassment - This is any unwanted behaviours which are linked to your gender or sexual orientation
Racial Harassment - This is when behaviours are linked to your skin colour, race or cultural background
Sectarian Harassment - In countries with sectarian tradition (e.g. Ireland) the term sectarian harassment is often used if the behaviours are linked to your religious origin or inclination

If the harassment is physical, the criminal law assault may be appropriate. If the harassment comprises of regular following, watching, repeated unsolicited contact or gifts, the term stalking may be appropriate.

Discrimination is when you are treated differently (e.g. less favourably) because of your gender, race or disability.

Bullying is the common denominator of harassment, discrimination, abuse and violence. The source of most bullying and harassment can usually be traced to one individual.

The differences between harassment and bullying are, 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.

Bullying and harassment (at work, in society, at school and at home) is a major cause of injury to health, both physical and mental. Over time, bullying and harassment result in trauma, which is a psychiatric injury, the collective symptoms of which often constitute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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 1997: harassment and stalking
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994: intentional harassment for causing another person harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour
Criminal law of assault

Related services

The Housing Advice Team offers advice and support if you require any help in relation to harassment in your own home.

Contact

Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3000

Fax: 020 8227 5184

Textphone: 020 8227 5755

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.