What is grossly offensive communication?
Asked by: Vito Cole MD | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 5/5 (69 votes)
Grossly offensive communication refers to messages, often electronic (texts, social media posts, emails), that are shockingly indecent, vulgar, insulting, or outrageous, intended to cause significant distress, anxiety, or insult to the recipient, falling into criminal offenses under laws like the UK's Malicious Communications Act, and judged by objective standards for content attacking protected characteristics or containing threats.
What does grossly offensive mean?
grossly offensive behaviour means excessive, indecent or insulting behaviour.
What is offensive communication?
Communications Act 2003
127. - (1) A person is guilty of an offence if he- (a) sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or (b) causes any such message or matter to be so sent.
Is sending indecent or grossly offensive communication to cause distress or anxiety?
So malicious communications, adult with principally by the Malicious Communications Act 1988, which encompasses the sending of an electronic communication or letter that is indecent, grossly offensive, threatening, or contains false information, with the intent to cause distress or anxiety.
Is it illegal to send nasty text messages?
Sending "dirty" texts is generally legal between two consenting adults but becomes illegal if it involves a minor, is non-consensual (like revenge porn or blackmail), or escalates to harassment, stalking, or threats, with laws varying by state but often carrying serious penalties, including sex offender registration for serious offenses involving minors.
Joey Barton guilty of sending ‘grossly offensive’ social media posts
Can police do anything about harassing texts?
While the local police might state they don't accept reports of threats, contacting your phone provider and local law enforcement may still lead to taking appropriate measures against the harasser, as indicated by the guidance from several legal sources on handling such situations.
What is an example of malicious communication?
Some examples of malicious communication include:
- threats - verbal or written threats of violence or harm to someone or their property.
- harassment - repeatedly sending messages that are insulting, offensive or upsetting.
- offensive messages - sending messages that are sexually suggestive, extremely rude or discriminatory.
What evidence do I need for text harassment?
To prove text harassment, you need to gather and organize evidence like screenshots of the entire conversation (including dates/times/numbers), create a timeline of incidents, document requests to stop, and note any threats or escalating behavior, possibly with witness info, to present to authorities or a lawyer. The key is to provide tangible proof, not just allegations, showing a pattern of unwanted communication that causes distress or fear, according to legal sources.
Can I sue for malicious communication?
Under Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, a person is also guilty of an offence if the purpose of their communication is to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another. Malicious communications can include: Making hoax calls.
What are malicious messages?
Malicious communication refers to sending messages intended to cause distress or alarm to others. Defined by the Malicious Communications Act 1988, this behavior can manifest through letters, emails, texts, or social media posts.
How many messages are classed as harassment?
The behaviour must happen on more than one occasion. It can be the same type of behaviour or different types of behaviour on each occasion. For example, one text message intended to distress you is not harassment. Two text messages may be harassment.
What is an example of offensive behavior?
Offensive behaviour is a generic term for bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination (e.g. based on race, gender and age), violence, threats or other forms of offensive behaviour.
What are the 4 types of communication styles?
Four types of communication styles include passive communication, aggressive communication, passive-aggressive communication and assertive communication. Communication allows us to express our thoughts, share information and connect with other people.
What are three types of offences?
The three main types of criminal offenses, based on severity, are Infractions (or Violations), Misdemeanors, and Felonies, ranging from minor offenses like traffic tickets (infractions) to serious crimes (felonies) punishable by significant prison time, with misdemeanors falling in between. Another classification system, particularly in Canada, categorizes them as Summary, Indictable, and Hybrid offenses, determining the court process.
Is it illegal to send a threatening letter?
Thus, Title 18 U.S. Code 876 is the federal statute that makes mailing threatening communications a crime. it's a federal offenses to mail threatening communications related to blackmail or extortion. Simply put, you could be charged with a federal offense by using the United States Postal Service to issue a threat.
What is Malice communication?
Malicious Communications ActSecond, for written harassment or bullying, there is another potential remedy. S. 1 MCA applies to communications that are grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, menacing or false, provided there is in each case an intention to cause distress or anxiety.
What evidence do you need for harassment?
To prove harassment, you need a detailed log of incidents (dates, times, locations, what happened), supported by tangible evidence like emails, texts, photos, videos, and witness statements, plus documentation of your complaints and the harasser's responses, showing the conduct was unwelcome, severe/pervasive, and based on a protected characteristic (like sex, race, etc.). Medical records showing impact and formal reports to HR/police also significantly strengthen a case.
What is the meaning of grossly offensive?
in an indecent or obscene way; to a degree considered indecent or obscene. He contended that the crude remark about the candidate's mother breached standards of good taste and was "grossly offensive."
What points do you need to prove malicious communication?
To successfully prosecute someone for malicious communications, points to prove include: Proving that the accused's communications were intended to cause distress. Proving that the communications were sent.
Can screenshots of texts be used as evidence?
Yes, screenshots of messages can be used as evidence, but they are often considered weak or unreliable on their own because they can be easily edited, cropped, or taken out of context, making them difficult to authenticate; courts prefer original messages with complete metadata (dates, times, sender info) and often require extra proof, like testimony or forensic analysis, to confirm they are genuine.
Can the police do anything about harassing texts?
Police are hear to help protect your health, safety, and welfare from these menacing texts. And if you are arrested for sending harassing texts, contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Laws against all forms of cyberbullying are being taken increasingly seriously.
How do I prove someone is harassing me?
Identify Witnesses
Other co-workers who were present when the harassment occurred or experienced the same behavior can provide witness testimony to back up your claims. Having other individuals confirm your version of events can greatly strengthen your case.
How serious are malicious communications?
If the matter is heard in the Magistrates' Court, the maximum sentence is imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine, or both. At Draycott Browne, we recognise the gravity of malicious communication charges and their potential impact on your personal and professional life.
How much evidence is needed to prosecute?
“Beyond a reasonable doubt” is the highest standard of proof in the UK legal system and the threshold required for a criminal conviction. This means the prosecution must present evidence so compelling that no reasonable person would hesitate to find the defendant guilty.
What is considered inappropriate communication?
Inappropriate language in the workplace refers to verbal or written remarks that make others feel uncomfortable, disrespected, or hurt. This can include offensive jokes, discriminatory remarks, and generalizations about groups based on gender, sexuality, religion, political affiliation, or race.