Types of Harassment
Harassment is repeated, unwanted behavior directed at a person to threaten, demean, or intimidate. It can fall under any of the following categories:
- Verbal harassment
- Physical harassment
- Sexual harassment
- Workplace harassment
- Stalking
- Cyber harassment
Illegal Harassment
Verbal, Physical, and Sexual Harassment
In general, repeated and unwanted behavior that is unreasonably insulting, demeaning, or threatening to the victim may be considered illegal harassment. The form of the harassment can be spoken, written, or physical, and include unauthorized disclosures and offensive images.
Workplace Harassment
Under Federal Law, harassment in the workplace is unlawful when it discriminates against a protected trait and the worker either suffers a change in the terms of employment (e.g., getting fired) or the harassment creates a hostile work environment.[1]
Stalking
The definition of illegal stalking under federal law is when a perpetrator travels or uses mail or electronic communications with intent to harm, harass, intimidate, or surveil another person and[2]:
- Causes that person reasonable fear of death or injury to themselves, a member of their household, or pet; OR
- Causes substantial emotional distress
Cyber Harassment
Cyber harassment, which includes cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking, becomes illegal when it qualifies as unlawful harassment under state and federal law (described above). Some states have statutes specifically targeting online harassment.
Sample
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NOTICE TO CEASE AND DESIST
[SENDER’S NAME]
[SENDER’S STREET]
[SENDER’S CITY, STATE, & ZIP]
Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Re: Harassment
Dear [RECIPIENT’S NAME],
This letter has been served as a notice of your unwarranted and ongoing harassment activities. I demand that you cease and desist all harassment activities, including but not limited to:
[LIST ACTS OF HARASSMENT].
If you do not cease all related acts a harassment lawsuit will be commenced against you.
The previously conducted actions are unwanted, unwelcome, and have become unbearable. Due to the aforementioned harm you have caused, this cease and desist shall serve as a pre-suit letter demanding that you provide us written assurance within [#] days that you will refrain from further actions that could be deemed as harassment.
If you do not comply with this cease and desist letter within the aforementioned time period, then a lawsuit may be filed in the proper jurisdiction seeking monetary damages as well as pursuing all available legal remedies for your harassment.
Sincerely,
________________________
[PRINTED NAME]