What does the harassment law in Saudi Arabia cover, and what penalties can a conviction bring?
The harassment law in Saudi Arabia is the Anti-Harassment Law, issued by Royal Decree No. M/96 (1439H). It defines harassment, sets two levels of penalty, keeps the case alive even if the victim withdraws, and places duties on employers and schools. It applies to words, acts and gestures, including those sent through modern technology.
This guide explains how the harassment law in Saudi Arabia defines the offence, which penalties apply, how to report it, and what happens when a case is not proven. It is written for residents, expats and employers who need a clear starting point.
Have you been harassed, or accused in a harassment report? You can send a short summary on WhatsApp and the Al-Safwa Law Firm team will review the facts and the stage of the case in confidence.
Table of Contents
Harassment law in Saudi Arabia at a glance
| Topic | What the law provides |
|---|---|
| Source | Anti-Harassment Law, Royal Decree No. M/96 (1439H) |
| Definition | Any statement, act or gesture of a sexual nature directed at another person that affects their body or honour, or offends their modesty, by any means, including modern technology |
| Basic penalty | Up to two years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either (Article 6) |
| Aggravated penalty | Up to five years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 300,000, or either, in repeat cases or the listed circumstances (Article 6) |
| If the victim withdraws | The competent authorities may still act in the public interest (Article 3) |
| Confidentiality | Those who learn of a case through their work must keep it confidential (Article 4) |
| Workplaces | Government and private entities must adopt preventive measures and a complaint mechanism (Article 5) |
How does the harassment law in Saudi Arabia define harassment?
The law defines harassment as any statement, act or gesture of a sexual nature that one person directs at another, touching the other person’s body or honour or offending their modesty, by any means. The definition expressly includes modern technological means, so messages, calls, images and social media contact can fall within it.
Lawyers usually break the offence into two parts when they assess a case.
- The act. A statement, act or gesture with a sexual meaning, aimed at another person, that affects their body or honour or offends their modesty. Conduct that is merely rude or unprofessional does not meet the definition on its own.
- The intent. The conduct must come from a conscious will. Intent is usually inferred from the circumstances, the content of the contact, the relationship between the parties and the other evidence. It is not assumed just because two people communicated.
The judge looks at the nature of the words or acts, their sexual meaning in context, who they were aimed at, and what evidence is available.
What is the penalty under the harassment law in Saudi Arabia?
Article 6 sets two levels of punishment. Both apply without prejudice to any harsher penalty under Sharia rules or another law.
| Level | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Basic offence | Up to 2 years | Up to SAR 100,000, or either penalty |
| Aggravated offence | Up to 5 years | Up to SAR 300,000, or either penalty |
These are maximums. The court decides the actual penalty case by case. The aggravated level applies if the offence is repeated or occurs in any of these circumstances.
- The victim is a child.
- The victim has special needs.
- The offender has direct or indirect authority over the victim.
- The offence takes place in a workplace, place of study, shelter or care facility.
- The offender and the victim are of the same gender.
- The victim is asleep, unconscious or in a similar state.
- The offence takes place during a crisis, disaster or accident.
The law also punishes a malicious report. A person who files a bad-faith report, or falsely claims to be a victim, can face the same penalty range as for harassment. Anyone considering a report should be accurate and keep to the facts.
Does the harassment law in Saudi Arabia cover online harassment?
Yes. Because the definition covers acts “by any means, including modern technology”, unwanted sexual messages, images or voice notes can be treated as harassment. The same conduct may also touch the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, which, for example, penalises privacy invasion through camera-equipped phones and defamation with up to one year in prison and a fine of up to SAR 500,000 under its Article 3. Which law applies depends on the facts and on how the prosecution frames the charge.
For more on online offences, read our guide to cyber crime in Saudi Arabia. If you need help with a digital case, see our cybercrime lawyer page.
How is harassment different from insult or defamation?
Harassment needs a sexual meaning. A rude remark, a swear word or a false accusation without a sexual element is not harassment, even if it is hurtful. Those acts fall under other rules. See our guides on the penalty for insult and cursing and the defamation penalty in Saudi Arabia. The same set of facts can sometimes support more than one charge, so the prosecution’s description of the act matters.
Can the victim drop the case?
Not completely. If the victim does not file a complaint, or withdraws one, the competent authorities may still take the steps they consider to serve the public interest, under the Law of Criminal Procedure and related laws (Article 3). That is why a private settlement or an apology does not guarantee that the case ends. Anyone who witnesses harassment may also report it.
Confidentiality is protected. A person who learns of a case through their job must keep it confidential, and the victim’s identity may be disclosed only during evidence collection, investigation or trial (Article 4).
What must employers do under the harassment law in Saudi Arabia?
Article 5 requires government and private entities to put prevention measures in place. These include a complaint mechanism, confidential verification procedures and informing staff about them. Entities must also discipline personnel who breach the law, without affecting the victim’s right to complain to the competent authorities.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has also issued controls on protection against behavioural aggression in the work environment, with model complaint and investigation forms. They say that if the workplace committee finds a possible criminal offence, such as harassment, the matter must be referred through the employer to the competent government authorities.
If you are an employee facing this issue, our labour lawyer in Jeddah page explains how workplace disputes are handled.
How do you report harassment in Saudi Arabia?
You can report to the nearest police station or through the Ministry of Interior channels, such as the Absher portal and the Kollona Amn app. The unified number 911 is available for urgent situations. Our guide to the police complaint process in Saudi Arabia explains the steps in more detail.
Before you report, it helps to collect the following.
- A short timeline with dates, places and names.
- Screenshots of messages, call logs and social media contact, saved with the dates visible.
- Names of witnesses, and the location of any camera that may have recorded the event.
- Any medical or workplace report connected to the event.
Do not edit or delete evidence, and do not reply in a way that could be used against you.
What happens after a report is filed?
The usual path runs from the police report to investigation, then to the Public Prosecution, and finally to the court if charges are brought. The court assesses whether the elements of the offence are proven. A judgment can be appealed within 30 days under Article 194 of the Law of Criminal Procedure.
No fixed duration applies to every case. It depends on the evidence, the statements and whether the matter is sent to court.
When is harassment not proven?
A conviction depends on proof that the act happened and that the elements of the offence are met. The outcome can be affected by several points.
- The statement, act or gesture is not proven to have come from the accused.
- The conduct had no sexual meaning in its context.
- The evidence conflicts or is not enough to prove the incident.
- Other evidence contradicts the accusation.
- The report is shown to be malicious, supported by acceptable evidence.
None of these leads to automatic acquittal. The competent court evaluates the facts and the evidence. If you face an accusation, speak to a criminal lawyer before giving a detailed statement. Our criminal lawyer in Jeddah page explains how we help at the investigation stage.
Does the law apply to foreigners and expats?
The definition refers to a person acting toward another person and does not distinguish by nationality, so it applies to residents and visitors as well as citizens. Other consequences, for example for a job or a residence permit, can follow a case, so a foreign resident should get legal advice early.
Do you need someone to review your report, statement or the charge against you? You can message us on WhatsApp with a short summary and the team will assess the stage of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions about the harassment law in Saudi Arabia
What is the punishment for harassment in Saudi Arabia?
The basic penalty is up to two years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either. In repeat cases or in the aggravating circumstances listed in Article 6, the maximum rises to five years and SAR 300,000.
Is verbal harassment a crime in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, if the statement has a sexual meaning, is directed at another person, and affects their body or honour or offends their modesty. Words alone can meet the definition. Rude language without a sexual meaning is treated differently.
Can a harassment case continue if the victim withdraws the complaint?
It can. The law allows the competent authorities to act in the public interest even if no complaint is filed or the victim withdraws it.
Does the law cover harassment by messages or social media?
Yes. The definition includes modern technology, so messages, images and online contact can be treated as harassment if they meet the elements of the offence.
What happens if someone files a false harassment report?
A malicious report, or a false claim to be a victim, can lead to the same penalty range as harassment. The court decides based on the evidence in each case.
Do employers have a duty under the harassment law in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Article 5 requires government and private entities to adopt preventive measures, a confidential complaint mechanism and disciplinary action against personnel who violate the law.
This guide covered the harassment law in Saudi Arabia: the definition, the two penalty levels, online conduct, workplace duties, reporting and how cases can fail. If you have a real situation, you can also use the contact page or the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen.
Sources:
- Anti-Harassment Law (Arabic) – Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
- Controls on Protection Against Behavioral Aggression in the Work Environment – Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
A legal advisor holding a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the prestigious Cairo University. He possesses extensive experience spanning over 25 years in criminal, civil, and family law, during which he has achieved notable accomplishments that have solidified his reputation as a valuable asset to any legal team
