The Protection from Harassment Act provides various remedies for victims of harassment.
A range of self-help measures, civil remedies and criminal sanctions are available to better protect people from harassment and related anti-social behavior. Civil remedies could range from application to court for protection orders, to bringing a civil action in court for damages (monetary compensation).
Protection Orders Singapore
Under civil remedies, victims of harassment under the Protection From Harassment Act will have the right to apply directly to the Court for a Protection Order requiring harassers to desist from doing anything that may cause them further harm, as well as stop the publishing and spread of harassing communication by others who republish the communication.
How Gloria James-Civetta & Co can help you
- If you are harassed and stalked, our criminal representation lawyers can help you to apply for a Protection Order to stop the person from engaging in such conduct.
- If you wish to stop the person from publishing an offensive statement, we can help you in your application for a Non-Publication Order.
- If you intend to sue a harasser or stalker for monetary compensation, we can aid you in commencing a civil action against him or her.
- If you intend to pursue criminal sanctions against a harasser or stalker, we can advise you further on applying for a Magistrate’s Complaint.
- Contact or call us for advice.
Expedited Protection Orders
Under the Protection from Harassment Act, the court has the power to grant an Expedited Protection Order to protect victims in cases of urgency. Expedited Protection Orders empowers the Court to order third parties to remove materials and to order offenders to go for counsel sessions.
In cases where false allegations have been made against a victim, which are proven to be false by the victim, the Court can direct a “suitable notification” to alert readers to the facts. The form of notification would be at the courts’ discretion.
An expedited protection order may be granted where the offending conduct is likely to have a ‘substantial adverse effect on the victim or the victim’s day-to-day activities’. Breach of the protection order or expedited protection order is an offence under the Act.
Monetary Compensation
Monetary compensation would be suitable in cases where the victim is under emotional distress that causes physical or mental harm to the victim’s health.
Notably, a public servant or public service worker who is subjected to indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words, behavior or communication cannot commence civil proceedings under the Protection from Harassment Act to recover damages.
Penalties Under the POHA for Acts of Harassment in Singapore
The Protection From Harassment Act 2014 provides the court with a wider range of sentencing options to ensure that the sentence meted out in each case better takes into account the culpability of the offender and the harm caused to the victim. Sentencing options include fines, imprisonment, and community orders.
Related Article: Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) – What You Should Know