Digital Tech

What is the Protection from Harassment Act?

A law designed to help people protect themselves against harassment.

What can you apply for if you feel that you are being harassed?

A protection order.

What is a protection order similar to?

A restraining order

What do you need to prove when applying for a protection order?

That someone is following, watching, bothering or communicating with you in an ongoing/repeated fashion.

Why is it important to keep records of harassment?

Because the records can help prove the ongoing/repeated harassment.

Give examples of records you should keep.

Screenshots or recordings of the harassment.

Give examples of unwanted communication mentioned on the page.

Letters, emails, text messages, social media posts and gifts.

What will the court do if you don’t know who the harasser is?

It gives the police the right to get information from Internet Service Providers.

What right does the law give the police regarding Internet Service Providers?

It gives the police the right to get information from Internet Service Providers.

What information can Internet Service Providers provide to the police?

The suspected person’s IP address and other information.

What is an IP address?

The numerical address of a computer on the internet.

Why can an IP address be useful?

It can help identify and track down the sender of anonymous messages.

What should you do to apply for a protection order?

Apply for a protection order at your local court.

Where can you get help if you are unsure how to apply?

At your local police station.

What usually happens next after applying for a protection order?

The court will usually grant an interim protection order while the matter is being investigated.

What is an interim protection order?

A temporary protection order while waiting for a court case to determine whether a permanent protection order should be granted.

What must happen to the offending person after an interim protection order is granted?

They must be informed of the interim protection order.

Why is the offending person given a court date?

To give them a chance to defend themselves.

What does the protection order forbid the offending person from doing?

Contacting you or approaching you physically.