Threats, abuse and harassment

If someone is threatening, abusing or harassing you, they are committing a crime.

When to call the police

Call 000 if it’s an emergency.

Contact the police if:

  • someone is threatening to harm you or your property
  • someone is verbally abusing you
  • you are experiencing domestic and family violence
  • you are in danger—or someone you know is in danger.

When to get legal advice

Get legal advice if you’re:

  • considering whether to apply for a domestic violence order or a peace and good behaviour order
  • being harassed online
  • going to be interviewed by police or charged with a criminal offence for threatening or abusive behaviour, or harassment.

How to get legal advice

Threatening behaviour

Any behaviour that makes another person fear injury or harm is ‘threatening behaviour’.

Threatening behaviour in an intimate personal relationship, family relationship or informal care relationship is called domestic and family violence.

You can apply for protection from domestic and family violence through a domestic violence protection order. 

Apply for a domestic violence protection order.

Harassment 

 ‘Harassment’ is any form of unwanted behaviour that may offend, humiliate or intimidate another person, or create a hostile environment. It may be an ongoing pattern of behaviour, or a single act.

You may be able to take legal action if the harassment is: 

  • sexual harassment
  • stalking
  • using obscene language in public. 

Cyber bullying

It is an offence to use services such as email, internet chat rooms or social networking sites (e.g. Facebook) to threaten or harass someone. This is called cyberstalking or cyber bullying. You should contact police if you’re the victim of cyberbullying.

Find out more about cyberbullying.

What to do

Report any threats of violence or verbal abuse you receive to the police. If you need to protect yourself against more threats, you may be able to take out a peace and good behaviour order.

Apply for a peace and good behaviour order

How to get legal advice

We may give legal advice about:

  • domestic violence protection orders
  • peace and good behaviour orders
  • sexual harassment
  • children being interviewed or charged with a criminal offence.
Contact us

Other places to get legal advice:

Who else can help?

Related information

Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.

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