The Protection of Harassment Act 1997 - Getting help from the police - Practical Help - Domestic Violence Forum - The London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Practical Help

Getting help from the police

The Protection of Harassment Act 1997

This act makes it a crime for someone to "pursue a course of conduct (including speech) on at least two occasions that amounts to harassment of another, and which he knows, or ought to know, amounts to harassment of the other". This act can also help the police and courts to deal with a more serious offence called "Aggravated Harassment".

This is "where a person whose course of conduct causes another to fear (again on at least two occasions), that violence will be used against (him or) her if he knows or ought to know that his behaviour will cause the other person to be in fear".

If your partner is charged and prosecuted for a harassment offence he may be fined or sent to prison by the courts. The courts can also issue something called a restraining order which is a court order telling your ex-partner to keep away from you. If he breaks the terms of this order he could be sent to prison for up to 5 years.

The new Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (coming into effect in July 2005) means that the courts will now be able to issue restraining orders for your protection even if your ex-partner is acquitted of an offence if they believe that this is necessary to protect you from further harassment.

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Contact
Barking Police Station
6 Ripple Road
Barking IG11 7PE
Monday to Friday: 8am - 10pm
Tel: 020 8217 7745
In an emergency dial 999

Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum