Singapore legislation

Clause 4

of Protection from Harassment Bill

Clause 4

Harassment, alarm or distress

(1)

No person shall by any means —

(a)

use any threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour; or

(b)

make any threatening, abusive or insulting communication,which is heard, seen or otherwise perceived by any person (referred to for the purposes of this section as the victim) likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

(2)

Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and, subject to section 8, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

(3)

In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (2), it is a defence for the accused person to prove —

(a)

that he had no reason to believe that the words or behaviour used, or the communication made, by him would be heard, seen or otherwise perceived by the victim; or

(b)

that his conduct was reasonable.IllustrationX and Y are classmates. X posts a vulgar tirade against Y on a website accessible to all of their classmates. One of Y’s classmates shows the message on the website to Y, and Y is distressed. X is guilty of an offence under this section.

Read in full context — Protection from Harassment Bill →