Harassment: An Assault Against the Person's Psychical Integrity, in Iranian and English Criminal Systems

Harassment is an offence that its commission causes probably severe confusion of the victim, so that, in some cases, the victim may suffer some kind of psychical condition. Therefore, it can be plausible that this offence is primarily aimed the psychical integrity of the victim. Accordingly, in the English criminal system, any behaviour causing harassment against any person, with respect to some circumstances, can lead to occurring the offence of harassment, meanwhile, the offence of harassment is generally divided into two types: simple and aggravated. However, the study of the Iranian criminal system shows that the Iranian legislator has focused, in the context of the offence of harassment, on its committing against particular victims, or by using a specific tool. Such an approach would lead to neglecting other behaviours that cause harassment, and does not provide the possibility of effective fighting with the offence of harassment. Thus, it is appropriate that Iranian lawmaker accepts the offence of harassment in a more general sense.