For the application of this Law, the crime of harassment shall mean any utterance, act, or gesture of a sexual nature made by a person that impinges on another person’s body, honor, or modesty by any means, including modern technologies.

This Law aims to combat the crime of harassment, prevent its occurrence, punish perpetrators and protect victims, in order to preserve the privacy, dignity and personal freedom of individuals guaranteed by Sharia and law.

1. A victim’s non-filing or withdrawal of a complaint shall not preclude the competent authorities from taking any action they deem to serve public interest, in accordance with the provisions of the Law of Criminal Procedures and other relevant laws.

2. A person who witnesses a case of harassment may report the incident to the competent authorities to take action in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.

1. Any person who, by virtue of his work, becomes privy to any case of harassment shall maintain the confidentiality thereof.

2. The identity of the victim shall not be disclosed, except in the course of evidence collection, investigation, or trial.

1. The relevant departments within government and private entities shall set measures necessary to prevent and combat harassment in the work environment, including:

• a) a mechanism for receiving complaints within the entity;

• b) procedures necessary for verifying the complaints and maintaining confidentiality thereof; and

• c) publication of such measures and informing staff thereof.

2. The relevant departments within government and private entities shall take disciplinary measures against any of their personnel in case of any violation of the provisions of this Law, in accordance with their applicable procedures.

3. Disciplinary measures according to this Article shall not prejudice the victim’s right to file a complaint with the competent authorities.

1- Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this article, and without prejudice to any other penalty prescribed by Sharia Provisions or any harsher penalty stipulated by any other regulation; anyone who commits the crime of harassment shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, and a financial fine not exceeding one hundred thousand Riyals, or one of these two penalties.

2- The penalty for the crime of harassment shall be imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, and a financial fine not exceeding three hundred thousand Riyals, or one of these two penalties, in the case of recidivism or if the crime is accompanied by any of the following:

• A- If the victim is a child.

• B- If the victim is a person with special needs.

• C- If the perpetrator has direct or indirect authority over the victim.

• D- If the crime occurs in a workplace, educational institution, shelter, or care facility.

• E- If the perpetrator and the victim are of the same gender.

• F- If the victim is asleep, unconscious, or in a similar state.

• G- If the crime occurs in any of the cases of crises, disasters, or accidents.

3- The judgment issued to determine the penalties referred to in this article may include a provision for publishing a summary at the expense of the convicted person in one or more local newspapers, provided that the publication occurs after the judgment has become final.

1. Any person who incites, conspires with, or assists others in any manner to commit a crime of harassment shall be subject to the penalty prescribed for the crime.

2. Any person who attempts to commit a crime of harassment shall be subject to a punishment not exceeding half the maximum prescribed penalty;

3. Any person who submits a malicious report of a crime of harassment or maliciously claims to be a victim thereof shall be subject to the penalty prescribed for the crime of harassment.

This Law shall enter into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.