Battery vs. Harassment: Which One Applies to This Viral Video?

Harassment is likely a term that you have heard in everyday life. Harassment can range from minor disturbances to large-scale situations, and there is a clear line between harassment and assault. In our chaotic world, it is not uncommon for people to get into public altercations. With that said, what draws the line between a situation in which harassment is involved and a situation in which assault and battery is involved? 

Attorney Ugo Lord describes these differences in response to a recent viral video. Additionally, he points out the importance of understanding the difference between battery and harassment, as they entail entirely different scales of legal implications. 

What Happened to the Man in the Video? 

The viral video shows a woman throwing a cup of water at a man filming her. The woman gives the man a fake apology and returns to eating her meal. In response to this, the man walks up to a nearby police officer and asks for him to take action, claiming that she has committed battery. 

Upon hearing this, the police officer shuts down the man’s claims, instead saying that she has only committed harassment by throwing her water at him. 

Dr. Lord’s Expert Opinion on the Matter

Concerning the viral video, Attorney Ugo Lord completely disagrees with the police officer. He explains that actions such as making verbal threats or saying insults would be considered harassment. Additionally, he notes that these repeated actions must be continuous without warranted reason to be considered harassment. 

As for throwing the water at the man, Dr. Lord claims, “That is when things change from harassment to battery.” Thus, even though the cop initially claimed that the woman only committed harassment, she would be liable for charges that fall under battery. 

Battery vs Harassment?

As mentioned, the differences between harassment and battery can be pretty hard to explain. Generally speaking, harassment is when someone causes unwanted or uninvited nuisance, alarm, discomfort, or emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.

In contrast, battery is the unlawful use of force against another person or their belongings. It usually involves the destruction of property or injury of another person. 

Conclusion

In the end, the lines between harassment and battery can often blur, especially when one is in the middle of a heated situation. According to Dr. Lord, the man in the video would be correct that he was a victim of battery, as he was physically impacted by water, which the woman deliberately threw at him. 

Battery is usually considered an unlawful use of force that causes injury or destruction of property. Attacking someone is a clear form of battery. 

Harassment is the act of continuously making someone feel unsafe, threatened, or alarmed without their invitation or consent. For instance, stalking would be considered a form of harassment.