Certain things in life are cute, like baby animals. Giving someone a sentimental, thinking of you, gift or complimenting someone’s outfit or attitude is cute. You know what isn’t cute? Abuse, threats and stalking. These acts are harassment. To be more precise, those actions fall under civil harassment.
Civil harassment goes beyond just being rude to someone. Civil harassment is defined as abuse, threats of abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or serious harassment committed by someone who you have not dated and do not have a close relationship with. If you have a close relationship with the person who is harassing you, it would be considered a domestic case.
If someone is harassing you, don’t wait to get help. Waiting for a situation to change or get better on its own risks your wellness. The more times you allow it to pass, the more abuse you will have to endure. Civil harassment can be caused by aunts, uncles, cousins, and other distant relatives. Being harassed by family can make coming forward difficult because of the fear of the rest of the family becoming upset.
After reporting the harassment to the police, you can apply for a restraining order. You can ask for a civil harassment restraining order if a person has abused or threatened to abuse you and if you’re seriously scared or annoyed. Getting a restraining order is fairly simple to do in California. Some courts may charge a small fee, but the price of your safety is always worth it.
Abuse, threats of abuse, stalking, sexual assault, and serious harassment, is not normal. Don’t allow a person who has these not-so-cute habits into your life. Only allow cute things in, your life like funny cat or puppy videos.