{"id":7388,"date":"2026-10-07T14:59:35","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/anti-harassment-law-saudi-arabia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T15:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:15:07","slug":"anti-harassment-law-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/anti-harassment-law-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Saudi Anti-Harassment Law: What Counts as Harassment, the Penalties and How to Report"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.usus-tbl{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:760px;margin:12px 0 20px;font-size:15px}.usus-tbl th{background:#f4eff9;color:#2A124A;font-weight:700;text-align:right;padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:2px solid #C9A227}.usus-tbl td{padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5ddec;vertical-align:top}<\/style>\n<div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<p>Saudi Arabia&#8217;s <strong>Anti-Harassment Law<\/strong> (1439H \/ 2018) criminalises any word, act or gesture with a sexual connotation that touches another person&#8217;s body or honour or offends their modesty, by any means, including messages and social media.<\/p>\n<h2>What counts as harassment?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Sexual remarks, face to face or by message or online comment.<\/li>\n<li>Unwanted touching or physical approach.<\/li>\n<li>Gestures and innuendo, and sending unwanted images or clips.<\/li>\n<li>At work, in education, in public places and online.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Penalties<\/h2>\n<table class=\"usus-tbl\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Case<\/th>\n<th>Penalty under the law<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Harassment (basic)<\/td>\n<td>Imprisonment up to two years and a fine up to SAR 100,000, or either<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>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<\/td>\n<td>Imprisonment up to five years and a fine up to SAR 300,000, or either<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-7388-1\"><img class=\"wp-image-8112\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-1.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"839\" alt=\"Penalties \u2014 The Saudi Anti-Harassment Law (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-1-768x537.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-1-640x447.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-1-400x280.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-1-367x257.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>The law also punishes incitement or assistance, and malicious reports. <em>Check the latest official text; publication of the judgment and other ancillary penalties may apply.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>How to report<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Preserve the evidence at once:<\/strong> dated screenshots with the account name, messages, witnesses, CCTV.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Report to the security authorities<\/strong> through official channels (such as the \u00abKollona Amn\u00bb app or the nearest police station), or to your employer if it happened at work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Follow up<\/strong> until the case is referred to the Public Prosecution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-7388-2\"><img class=\"wp-image-8113\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-2.webp\" width=\"1080\" height=\"930\" alt=\"How to report \u2014 The Saudi Anti-Harassment Law (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-2.webp 1080w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-2-768x661.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-2-640x551.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-2-400x344.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7388-2-367x316.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>If you are accused<\/h2>\n<p>An accusation is not a conviction. You may see the charge, defend yourself, submit evidence and have a lawyer from the investigation stage. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/saudi-criminal-procedure-law\/\">the Criminal Procedure Law<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/criminal-court-saudi-arabia\/\">the Criminal Court<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Do social media messages count?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, harassment by any means is covered. If combined with threats or a demand for money, it may also be <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/blackmail-saudi-arabia\/\">blackmail<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Is a criminal record created?<\/h3>\n<p>Depending on the judgment, yes, with rules on rehabilitation; see <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/criminal-record-clearing-saudi-arabia\/\">clearing a criminal record<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Facing harassment or an accusation?<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>Usus Law Firm<\/strong> team handles <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/service\/criminal-cases\/\">criminal cases<\/a> in full confidence, with <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/female-lawyer-saudi-arabia\/\">women lawyers<\/a> for women&#8217;s cases, in <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-riyadh\/\">Riyadh<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-tabuk\/\">Tabuk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#6a6178;border-top:1px solid #e6ddd0;padding-top:10px;margin-top:16px\"><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"usus-qbox\">\n<h2>Request a quick consultation<\/h2>\n<p>Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"6963\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7388#wpcf7-f6963-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"6963\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-6acbb1fbd8824-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap cf7apps-honeypot-wrap honeypot-qf-wrap\" style=\"position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap;border:0;\"><label for=\"wpcf7-6acbb1fbd8824-field\" class=\"hp-message\">Please leave this field empty.<\/label><input id=\"wpcf7-6acbb1fbd8824-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"honeypot-qf\" value=\"\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" tabindex=\"1000\" data-cf7apps-tabindex=\"1000\" \/><\/span>\n<div class=\"usus-qf\">\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-name\">Name<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-name\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"q-name\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-phone\">Mobile<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-phone\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" id=\"q-phone\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"05xxxxxxxx\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"q-phone\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-city\">City<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-city\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-city\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"q-city\"><option value=\"Riyadh\">Riyadh<\/option><option value=\"Tabuk\">Tabuk<\/option><option value=\"Other city\">Other city<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f w\"><label for=\"q-msg\">Your case in brief (optional)<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-msg\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"2\" maxlength=\"600\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea\" id=\"q-msg\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"One or two lines are enough\" name=\"q-msg\"><\/textarea><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s\"><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request a call from a lawyer\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Anti-Harassment Law (1439H \/ 2018) criminalises any word, act or gesture with a sexual connotation that touches another person&#8217;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-criminal-law","category-saudi-laws-explained"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/criminal-lawyer-riyadh-tabuk-1140x445.jpg?wsr",1140,445,true],"list":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/criminal-lawyer-riyadh-tabuk-463x348.jpg?wsr",463,348,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/criminal-lawyer-riyadh-tabuk-300x300.jpg?wsr",300,300,true],"full":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/criminal-lawyer-riyadh-tabuk.jpg?wsr",1200,1200,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7388"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8114,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7388\/revisions\/8114"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}