Bullying, harassment and sexual harm
Overview
This chapter covers:
- the different legal steps you can take under the civil law to deal with various kinds of bullying or harassment
- This includes harassment through things like stalking you or sending you threatening letters, and “cyberbullying” (which is where you’re harassed through texts, emails or online posts).
- when serious cases of harassment or bullying can amount to a criminal offence, so that you can lay a complaint with the police
- different types of sexual harm, and your options if you experience any sexual harm, including if you choose to report it to the police.
If you’re being sexually or racially harassed, you can use the protections outlined in this chapter, and/or:
- If you’re being sexually or racially harassed in one of the areas of life covered by the Human Rights Act 1993, you can complain to the Human Rights Commission – for example, if you’re racially harassed by a shopkeeper or sexually harassed by your landlord (see: “Discrimination”).
- If you’re being sexually or racially harassed at work, this is also covered by the Human Rights Act, but you can also choose to bring a personal grievance under the Employment Relations Act 2000, (see: “Resolving employment problems”).
