Saudi Arabia's Anti-Harassment Law (1439H / 2018) criminalises any word, act or gesture with a sexual connotation that touches another person's body or honour or offends their modesty, by any means, including messages and social media.
What counts as harassment?
- Sexual remarks, face to face or by message or online comment.
- Unwanted touching or physical approach.
- Gestures and innuendo, and sending unwanted images or clips.
- At work, in education, in public places and online.
Penalties
| Case | Penalty under the law |
|---|---|
| Harassment (basic) | Imprisonment up to two years and a fine up to SAR 100,000, or either |
| Aggravated cases: repeat offence, a child or person with a disability as victim, the offender having authority over the victim, at a place of work, study or care, and others the law lists | Imprisonment up to five years and a fine up to SAR 300,000, or either |
The law also punishes incitement or assistance, and malicious reports. Check the latest official text; publication of the judgment and other ancillary penalties may apply.
How to report
- Preserve the evidence at once: dated screenshots with the account name, messages, witnesses, CCTV.
- Report to the security authorities through official channels (such as the «Kollona Amn» app or the nearest police station), or to your employer if it happened at work.
- Follow up until the case is referred to the Public Prosecution.
If you are accused
An accusation is not a conviction. You may see the charge, defend yourself, submit evidence and have a lawyer from the investigation stage. Read the Criminal Procedure Law and the Criminal Court.
Frequently asked questions
Do social media messages count?
Yes, harassment by any means is covered. If combined with threats or a demand for money, it may also be blackmail.
Is a criminal record created?
Depending on the judgment, yes, with rules on rehabilitation; see clearing a criminal record.
Facing harassment or an accusation?
The Usus Law Firm team handles criminal cases in full confidence, with women lawyers for women's cases, in Riyadh and Tabuk.
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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