Protection from Harassment Act (Singapore)

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Protection from Harassment Act 2014 (Singapore) – Easy guide

The Protection from Harassment Act 2014 (POHA) is Singapore law that makes harassment, stalking, and other anti‑social behaviour a criminal offence, including acts done online. It replaced the old common‑law idea of harassment and updated several laws to cover online conduct and higher penalties. It also lets victims get protection orders and seek civil dispute resolution.

What the Act covers
- Harassment, stalking, and similar anti‑social behaviour, including cyberbullying and online abuse.
- Do​cking (sharing private information about someone online) was added in 2019.
- The law can apply even to online acts carried out outside Singapore if the victim is in Singapore and the offender knew or should have known that.

Key features
- Criminal and civil tools: POHA creates offences and lets victims apply for protection orders to stop the harassment. In urgent cases, a protection order can be issued quickly.
- Protection orders: These orders protect a complainant from the harasser. For minor, private cases, some matters can be settled out of court with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
- Civil resolution: Many disputes can go to mediation at the State Courts Centre for Dispute Resolution (SCCDR) instead of going to trial.
- Penalties: Offences can carry up to one year in jail and/or a fine. Harassment offences against public servants carry its own penalties as well.
- Extra‑territorial reach: Online acts can be prosecuted in Singapore if the complainant is in Singapore and the offender knew or should have known that.

2019 amendments and related changes
- Doxxing expands the range of acts covered by POHA.
- Correction orders were introduced to counter fake news about a person or organization.
- A specialized POHA court arrangement was created within the State Courts to handle these cases. POHA is separate from the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).

How it’s used in practice
- Since 2014 there have been many protection order applications, including cases involving public servants and workplace harassment.
- Some cases result in penalties, apologies, or compensation; others are settled through mediation or out‑of‑court arrangements with DPP’s consent.
- The government emphasises high standards of conduct and uses POHA to deter harassment and protect victims.

In short, POHA provides a modern framework to stop harassment and online abuse, with clear routes for protection, civil resolution, and appropriate penalties.