Online Harassment and the Law in Wales: Understanding Your Rights under the Online Safety Act 2023

What is Online Harassment?

Online harassment can take many forms, from repeated unwanted messages to the sharing of private or explicit images without consent. It can happen through social media, messaging apps, emails, or online forums, and can have a serious impact on mental health, employment, and personal safety.

Common examples include sending threatening or abusive messages, posting false or damaging information about someone, sharing private photos or videos without consent (known as “image-based abuse”), and stalking or impersonating someone online.

While such behaviour often happens behind screens, its effects are very real. Victims frequently report anxiety, fear, and isolation, with some experiencing long-term psychological harm.

The Law and Your Rights

Until recently, online abuse was addressed through older legislation such as the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and the Communications Act 2003. However, these laws were created long before the rise of social media, leaving significant gaps in protection for victims of digital harassment.

To modernise the law, the Online Safety Act 2023 was introduced to make online spaces safer and to hold major platforms accountable. It places legal duties on social media companies and messaging services to remove illegal content quickly, protect users from harmful material, and provide clear and accessible reporting systems for victims.

Serious cases of online harassment may also fall under other key legislation, including:

• Protection from Harassment Act 1997, covering persistent or threatening behaviour.
• Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, which created offences for sharing private sexual images without consent (commonly known as “revenge porn”).
• Stalking Protection Act 2019, empowering police and courts to act swiftly in cases involving ongoing harassment or stalking.

Together, these laws form a stronger, more cohesive framework designed to protect individuals from harm in digital spaces and ensure accountability for those who misuse online platforms.

 What the Courts Can Do

If harassment continues or escalates, victims can apply for a restraining order or injunction under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Courts can also issue Non-Molestation Orders where online abuse is linked to domestic violence or coercive control, breaching these orders is a criminal offence.

Where private or explicit images have been shared without consent, the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 allows for prosecution, and in serious cases, imprisonment. These remedies demonstrate how the law treats online abuse with the same gravity as harassment that occurs in person.

What to Do if You Are Being Harassed Online

If you believe you are being harassed online, it is important to act early and methodically.

First, preserve evidence, take screenshots, save messages, and note the dates and times of any abusive communication.
Next, report the behaviour using the in-app tools provided by social media platforms or messaging services, and block the individual responsible.

If threats are made, or if the harassment is persistent, contact the police. Many police forces, including North Wales Police, now have dedicated cybercrime or digital harm units.

Avoid responding directly to the harasser, as this can sometimes escalate the situation. Finally, seek legal advice.

Why This Matters in North Wales

Online harassment is an increasing concern in North Wales, particularly among young people, students, and residents in rural areas who depend heavily on digital communication. According to BBC Wales, local police forces have recorded a rise in reports of cyberbullying, online stalking, and image-based abuse, reflecting national trends.

The psychological and emotional consequences can be severe, especially for those without nearby family or community support. Legal clinics and community services therefore play a crucial role in helping individuals understand their rights, gather evidence, and access legal protection through the courts.

Online abuse is not a trivial issue, it is treated under the law with the same seriousness as in-person harassment, and support is available for those affected.

How Bangor Law Clinic Can Help

At Bangor University Legal Advice Clinic (BULAC), students collaborate with qualified solicitor supervision to offer free and confidential advice to the local community.

If you or someone you know has been affected by online harassment, we can help by:

• Explain your rights under the Online Safety Act 2023 and Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
• Advise on how to collect and preserve online evidence.
• Advise on applications for restraining or non-molestation orders.

To make an appointment, call 01248 388411 or email bulac@bangor.ac.uk.