Harrassment

[Stacey]

Activities on this forum, as in all aspects of life under NZ law, are covered under the HARASSMENT ACT 1997.

Under the Act, "harassment" means a pattern of behaviour directed against you that includes doing to you any "specified act" on at least two separate occasions within a 12-month period.

A "specified act" is defined as:

* watching or loitering near your home, business, workplace or any other place that you go to for any purpose, or preventing or hindering you having access to or from that place
* following, stopping or accosting you
* entering, or interfering with, property in your possession
* making contact with you, whether by phoning you, writing to you or in any other way
* giving offensive material to you, or leaving it where you will find it or where it will be given to you or brought to your attention
* acting in any other way that causes you to fear for your safety, if a reasonable person in your circumstances would also fear for his or her safety

(emphasis is mine - to illustrate how this law covers internet use)

In serious cases, a restraining order against the person harrassing you can be obtained through the courts. The Court may direct that the order also apply against other persons if the first person is encouraging others to engage in harrassment. The penalty for breeching a restraining order is a prison term of up to six months or a fine of up to $5,000

Criminal harassment is committed if:

* a person harasses you with the intention of causing you to fear for your safety or for the safety of a member of your family, or
* a person harasses you knowing that the harassment is likely to cause you, given your particular circumstances, to have such a fear

The penalty for this offence is a prison term of up to two years.

If you are being harrassed on this forum, or any other, please contact a lawyer. Admin will do everything in thier power to assist you in this case. If you are not sure if the harrassment is 'serious' please contact admin - all harrassment is serious! If your problem is not one you feel you can deal with legally, Admin will assist you in any way we can to sort it out privately.

Harrassment from outside sources will also not be tolerated, and will be dealt with accordingly.


References:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/librarie ... ftpage=DOC
http://www.howtolaw.co.nz/html/ml061.asp
http://www.netsafe.theoutfitgroup.co.nz ... fault.aspx