What is the crime of humiliation?

Asked by: Calista Prosacco  |  Last update: January 31, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (21 votes)

The "crime of humiliation" isn't a single, universal legal term but refers to acts causing severe degradation, often involving public shaming, emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, or physical degradation, violating human dignity and protected by laws against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in international and domestic legal systems. It can manifest as digital bullying, institutional mistreatment, or specific offenses like humiliating filming, carrying penalties like prison time.

Is humiliating someone a crime?

What are the Legal Consequences of Publicly Humiliating Someone? Perpetrators of online shaming and harassment can face both civil lawsuits by their victims and criminal prosecution under state &/or federal law.

What case can I file for humiliation?

In your case, where the person has humiliated you in front of others, if the statements or actions were made publicly with the intent to cause harm to your reputation, you may have grounds to file a case for slander (oral defamation) or, depending on the medium used, libel.

What happens if you humiliate someone?

Psychological effects

The humiliated individuals may develop a variety of symptoms including apathy, paranoia, anxiety, PTSD, or others. The rage and fury may arise in the persecuted individual, themselves lashing out against innocent victims, as they seek revenge or as a means of release.

What is the legal definition of humiliation?

Humiliation is when a person is subjected to behaviour that degrades them , renders them powerless, undermines their personal integrity or undermines their social worth and self-esteem.

Arrogant Police Officer Pulls Over Black Fbi Agent and Regrets It

33 related questions found

What is a sentence for humiliated?

"humiliate" Example Sentences

Amy felt humiliated when her date didn't show up at the restaurant. The teacher humiliated me in front of the entire class by pointing out every mistake I made on the test. Germany humiliated Brazil 7–1 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

How to deal with people who humiliate you?

Even if someone wants you to be embarrassed or ashamed, be clear: No matter what you've done wrong, you don't deserve to be humiliated. Certainly, take responsibility for any mistakes you made, but don't accept that making a mistake means that you're an unworthy person who should be denigrated by someone else.

Is humiliation a form of harassment?

Psychological Harassment

Mental workplace harassment consists of repeated hostile and unwanted words, actions or behaviors that are painful, hurtful, annoying, humiliating or insulting.

What kind of person likes to humiliate others?

Usually, people who do this are unhappy with themselves and feel weak. They focus on what they lack or dislike and feel threatened by those who have what they don't. To make themselves feel better, they try to bring others down. Remember that their behavior is a reflection of their insecurities.

Is publicly shaming someone illegal?

While freedom of speech laws generally protect criticism of public figures, 'naming and shaming' of private citizens can cross legal boundaries into defamation, libel and slander.

How much can you get if you sue someone for emotional distress?

You can sue for emotional distress, but the amount varies widely (from thousands to millions), with no fixed formula; compensation depends on the distress's severity, its documented impact on your life (requiring therapy, affecting work), the strength of your evidence (medical records, diaries), the defendant's actions, and state laws, often resulting in settlements from $30k-$75k for moderate cases to $100k+ for severe PTSD/trauma, especially with strong proof. 

What proof do you need for libel?

To prove prima facie defamation, a plaintiff must show four things: 1) a false statement purporting to be fact; 2) publication or communication of that statement to a third person; 3) fault amounting to at least negligence; and 4) damages, or some harm caused to the reputation of the person or entity who is the subject ...

What proof do you need for verbal harassment?

Proving verbal harassment involves meticulous documentation (dates, times, exact words, context), gathering corroborating evidence like emails, texts, or screenshots, and potentially securing witness testimony or expert opinions to establish a pattern of unwelcome, intimidating, or abusive conduct, meeting the "preponderance of evidence" (more likely than not) standard in legal settings, especially when supported by digital records showing hostility. 

Can you go to jail for disrespecting someone?

Insults are protected by the First Amendment.

It was written to make sure people couldn't be imprisoned just for criticizing, insulting, or poking fun at authorities. This protection has been upheld by several Supreme Court cases, including: 1949, Terminello v.

Can you press charges for insulting someone?

If the language satisfies the legal definition of defamation or harassment, it may be possible to sue for verbal abuse in some cases. For example, if the language causes severe mental distress or is threatening, an individual may be able to sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

What is a shaming sentence?

A shaming sentence is a form of punishment that aims to publicly humiliate or disgrace an offender. Instead of or in addition to traditional penalties like fines or imprisonment, it imposes a sanction designed to evoke public disapproval and shame, often through public displays or acknowledgments of wrongdoing.

What do you call a person who enjoys humiliating others?

By definition, a sadist is, "A person who derives pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation on others." Instinctively, when one thinks of sadists, they think of serial killers.

What does God say about humiliation?

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Not only shall the Lord protect your name and your assigned seat—HE SHALL NOT LET YOU BE HUMILIATED.

What is indirect harassment?

Indirect harassment occurs when the harassment is directed at a third party but is really aimed at you. In online harassment, the harasser might target members of your family your friends, your partner or your business and business associates.

Is humiliation abuse?

Humiliation of one person by another (the humiliator) is often used as a way of asserting power over them, and is a common form of oppression or abuse used in a police, military, or prison context during legal interrogations or illegal torture sessions.

What legally counts as emotional abuse?

Legally, emotional abuse involves non-physical acts that cause significant mental or emotional harm, controlling behavior, or placing someone in danger, often defined as a pattern of intimidation, humiliation, isolation, or threats that impairs someone's psychological functioning, self-worth, or development, though specific definitions vary by state and context (child welfare vs. domestic violence). It's characterized by a perpetrator's intent to gain power and control through actions like name-calling, constant monitoring, manipulation, or isolating victims from support systems, leading to distress, anxiety, depression, or behavioral changes. 

What is a good sentence for humiliate?

I hope I don't humiliate myself during the presentation. He accused her of trying to humiliate him in public. She was hurt and deeply humiliated by the lies he told about her.

What is the root cause of humiliation?

Humiliation need not involve aggression or coercion. People can readily be humiliated through more passive means such as being ignored or overlooked, taken for granted, or denied a right or privilege. They can also be humiliated by being rejected, abandoned, abused, betrayed, or used as a means-to-an-end.

How to ignore someone who humiliates you?

Ignoring Hurtful Behavior in the Moment

  1. Stay calm. ...
  2. Keep silent if you can't think of anything constructive to say. ...
  3. Walk away if the other person is being intentionally hurtful. ...
  4. Respond if the person is someone you know. ...
  5. Set clear boundaries with the person if the behavior is a pattern.