Harassment & Bullying:
We can all feel harassed at times and it can be just a period where we are under pressure to get something done. We can feel harassed by friends, partners, the landlord, the boss at work, parents, teachers and lecturers. Harassment is both a description we use to describe legitimate pressure to get things done in time, to do things we have not started to do, or to do things in a 'required' way. It is also used to describe grossly unreasonable behaviour. There is a more legal definition which describes the unreasonable behaviour which is intrusive, disproportionate, distressing and illegitimate. There is no clear separation between the two. and the difference hinges of what is 'reasonable'. The harassment we are considering here is where the behaviour has become unreasonable; perhaps in the frequency and intensity of demand, or in the nature of what is required, or how it is demanded to be done. The context of the behaviour makes some difference:In a Work Situation: the pressured behaviour may be unreasonable, if the demands are for persistent actions that are outside of the normal requirements of the job role, the normal time requirements, the usual and safe methods for doing the work, or have nothing to do with the work itself.. There may be grounds for the 'legal' consideration of harassment if: The demand on you is significantly different from that on other workers doing the same work in the same 'team', or by comparison with most other groups of workers, doing the same kind of work else where. There is a requirement for employers to conduct themselves reasonably and in a way that maintains a person's dignity. Any behaviour that is intended to humiliate and cause distress by bullying, is unacceptable and can be dealt with under Employment Legislation. See Workplace Abuse. In a Public Situation: The behaviour may be considered as unreasonable if it is uninvited, has no legitimate purpose and intrudes in you desire to go about you normal business. To carry any weight it has to be persistent in character, or be demonstrably unacceptable in some other way - e.g.; abusive, or sexual in nature. If a person's behaviour intrudes into your 'personal space', blocks your way, or involves following you on your journey, visiting locations that you visit, observing your moves and activity, visiting you home uninvited and being present & intrusive, when you wish to have privacy, it could be considered to be Stalking. In Communications: The behaviour may be considered as harassment where it involves persistent communications by Letter, Telephone, eMails and Personal Notes. Even the sending, or leaving of gifts can be unreasonable. If you have made it clear that the behaviour is unacceptable it constitutes Harassment. Dependent upon where and when this behaviour happens, and who is doing it, there are various criminal and civil routes available to you. If it involves unreasonable demands for money, makes threats and is generally intimidating in any way, there may be good grounds for seeking criminal redress. In a Personal Situation: The behaviour may be harassing in terms of being Bullying and Abusive; Where there is persistent intrusion on you sexually, verbal abuse and threats, demands for you to undertake tasks, give money, restrict your actions, imprison and socially isolate you. If you feel trapped and distressed, it is important to discuss the situation with family and friends and to get some legal advice. You may have to take actions that are not a natural part of your personality & make up. You may have a tendency to 'help', or to 'stay friends'. These are good qualities, but should not be at your expense. You may need counselling to help you get the confidence to assert yourself, or to take necessary actions to stop people treating you in these ways. This may be a general tendency on your part, or may be a first, 'one off'. Either way, make sure you 'learn' something about yourself and others, to prevent this in the future. If you feel you have tried all that you can at a personal level, then legal recourse in the only option availably, whether criminal, or civil in nature. There are various sources of legal advice. Look for a solicitor who displays the 'Free Legal Advice' sign, or follow the links to the right. General Points: There are other features of unreasonable pressure which can be considered to be Harassment. This is a very personal matter and the behaviour of others has to be reasonable, maintain your dignity and should not go against your wishes. You have basic rights under the Convention on Human Rights. The Law supports these. Always get legal advice and take decisive actions against any abuse.  This page is in the stage of preparation.
There are some links on the right that may be helpful: | Community Legal Advice: Victim Support Website Witness Support (UK) Criminal Justice System UK. Website CJS online.gov.uk - Witness CJS online.gov.uk - Victim Domestic Violence, Abuse and Harassment: Leaflet Dealing with the Police. Dissatisfied with conduct towards self, or another: Leaflet Racial Discrimination - Leaflet Personal Injury - Leaflet Victim Support Service: Violent Crime - Leaflet Rape & Sexual Assault - Information National Association for People Abused in Childhood - Website Rape and Sexual Assault - information for Men - Leaflet Rape and Sexual Assault - information for Women - Leaflet Survivors UK - Website Legal Aid Services UK: www.legalservices.gov.uk Legal Services Commission (LSC) run the legal aid scheme in England and Wales. LSC - OnlineThe LSC provide information, advice & legal representation to help two million people each year get access justice.  CLS Website
The Community Legal Service (CLS) helps people with 'civil' legal problems such as family breakdown, debt and housing.
 CLA WebsiteThis website offers free, confidential and independent legal advice for residents of England and Wales Free, confidential legal advice: 0845 345 4 345 Click: CLA Charges  CDS Link
The Criminal Defence Service (CDS) helps people who are under police investigation, or facing criminal charges.
NOTE: This Document is still at some stage of development. You are invited to respond and comment on its content and its logic. If you return to the document at a future date, you will be able to see its continued development, hopefully reflecting your own and others commentary. Thank you for your cooperation. TRC. eMail: terry.couchman@visitweb.org |
