All about Harassment

What is ‘harassment’?
Harassment is defined as ‘to trouble and annoy repeatedly’ and which would include ‘bullying’ comes in many forms - physical, emotional, sexual. You might think that your mother going on and on about you tidying your room could be called ‘harassment’, and you might tell her that, but you would hardly want to take her to court over it, and anyhow she might accuse you of harassment over a whole range of things like asking for pocket money all the time! So where does normal social behaviour end and harassment start? It is a fine line, but we usually realise when that line has been well overstepped like ‘stalking’ or when someone goes on and on trying to make someone take an illegal drug when they don’t want to.

What to do about harassment?
The first thing to do is not to give into it, and don’t do anything you don’t want to do or feel uncomfortable doing The second thing is to tell someone who you trust about it. Your parents, a friend, a teacher, your doctor – will do The third things is to avoid going back into the same situation where you were harassed in the first place If you have been harassed or are being harassed you can tell us about it by clicking here (link to Ask Dr Ann window) without giving your name – so that we can help you and help others at the same time. If you have managed to cope with it, please share your tips with us too.

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