What is the US Code for harassment?

Asked by: Marcelle Osinski  |  Last update: February 17, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (51 votes)

There isn't one single "US Code for harassment," as it varies by context, but key federal laws address it in debt collection (15 U.S.C. § 1692d), victim/witness protection (18 U.S.C. § 1514), and housing (42 U.S.C. § 3617), with federal regulations like 41 CFR § 60-20.8 defining it in employment, often involving unwelcome conduct creating hostile environments, especially sexual harassment.

What is the federal code for harassment?

15 U.S. Code § 1692d - Harassment or abuse. The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person. The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.

What proof do you need to charge someone with harassment?

To file harassment charges, you need detailed records of incidents (dates, times, locations, what happened), supporting evidence like texts/emails/photos/videos, and potentially witness statements or medical records, though you can start by reporting to police or HR even without all evidence, as they help guide you on what's needed for a formal case, which often relies on showing a pattern of behavior rather than just one event. 

What is considered harassment in the USA?

Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or pregnancy), national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information (including family medical history).

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 counts as harassment and stalking? [Criminal law explainer]

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What are three things that are considered harassment?

The three primary types of harassment often categorized are Verbal/Written, Physical, and Visual, though harassment also falls under broader themes like sexual, discriminatory (race, gender, religion), and psychological bullying, creating intimidating environments through offensive jokes, unwanted contact, threats, or hostile displays, with sexual harassment specifically including "quid pro quo" (favor for favor) and hostile environment forms.
 

What are the 5 ds of harassment?

The 5Ds are different methods – Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct – that you can use to support someone who's being harassed, emphasize that harassment is not okay, and demonstrate to people in your life that they have the power to make their community safer.

What are the 9 grounds of harassment?

Harassment that is based on the following grounds— marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age disability, race, or Traveller community ground— is a form of discrimination in relation to conditions of employment. What is sexual harassment? S23 EE Act.

Can you call the police for harassment?

If you need assistance, please contact your local police by calling 911, your state police or the federal government. If you are experiencing harassment from a family member, please contact a family law attorney that handles protection from abuse orders.

What are the five types of harassment?

The Main Types of Sexual Harassment

  • Quid Pro Quo Harassment. ...
  • Hostile Work Environment. ...
  • Verbal Harassment. ...
  • Non-Verbal Harassment. ...
  • Physical Harassment.

What makes a strong harassment case?

To successfully prove a federal workplace harassment claim, you must demonstrate that the behavior you endured was severe or pervasive enough to be considered illegal. This means the harassment must have been persistent over time or egregious enough for an isolated incident to create a hostile work environment.

What is the average payout for harassment?

Settlements Vs.

While the average settlement is under $37,000, another study found that when harassment lawsuits go to trial, the average payout increases to $217,000. This considerable difference is partly because cases that are deemed severe are more likely to require a court trial to prove.

What makes a behavior qualify as harassment?

Deciding if behavior is harassment involves checking if it's unwelcome conduct related to a protected characteristic (like race, sex, age, religion) that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or abusive environment for a "reasonable person," meaning it's more than just petty slights or isolated incidents. Key factors are the conduct's link to protected traits, its unwelcome nature, and its impact (humiliating, degrading, intimidating) on the individual, often requiring a pattern, though extreme single events can qualify. 

How does one prove harassment?

To prove harassment, you need to document everything (dates, times, details), gather evidence (texts, emails, recordings, photos), find witnesses, and formally report it to establish a pattern of severe or pervasive, unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic that affects your work or creates a hostile environment, often requiring help from an employment lawyer to meet legal standards like those set by the EEOC. 

What is Section 26 harassment?

Harassment: The Equality Act 2010 outlines three types of harassment (section 26): unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the complainant, or violating the complainant's dignity (this applies to all the protected ...

What can I do if someone is harassing me?

If someone is harassing you, prioritize your safety by documenting everything, telling the harasser to stop (if safe), blocking them, and reporting the behavior to authorities like police or your employer, while also seeking support from hotlines or counselors; take legal steps like getting a restraining order if needed. 

What are three actions that are considered harassment?

The three primary types of harassment often categorized are Verbal/Written, Physical, and Visual, though harassment also falls under broader themes like sexual, discriminatory (race, gender, religion), and psychological bullying, creating intimidating environments through offensive jokes, unwanted contact, threats, or hostile displays, with sexual harassment specifically including "quid pro quo" (favor for favor) and hostile environment forms.
 

When should I report someone for harassment?

Stalking or harassment is when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, distressed or threatened. You can report it to us using this service: if the unwanted behaviour has happened two times or more.

What do you have to prove 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 kind of harassment is illegal?

Unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

What is not a form of harassment?

Some examples of uncomfortable situations that may not be harassment include a compliment with friendly intentions, a reminder or enforcement of company policies regarding dress code, helpful and constructive criticism or remarks, and any other language or action that does not create threatening conditions.

What words are considered harassment?

Insults & Name-Calling – Personal attacks on your appearance, intelligence, or abilities. Threats & Intimidations – Statements that make you fear for your safety or well-being. Slurs & Discriminatory Language – Speech targeting your race, gender, religion, or other constitutionally protected characteristics.

What are the four steps a person should take when reporting a case of harassment?

How to Report Workplace Harassment

  • Step 1: Try to Resolve the Issue. If you experience workplace harassment, consider addressing the matter directly with the person involved – but only if you feel safe doing so. ...
  • Step 2: Compile Evidence. ...
  • Step 3: Escalate the Situation to Management or HR. ...
  • Step 4: Prevent Retaliation.

What is petty harassment?

A person commits a petty misdemeanor if, with purpose to harass another, he or she: (a) Makes a telephone call without purpose or legitimate communication; or. (b) Insults, taunts or challenges another in a manner likely to provoke violent or disorderly response; or.