If you’re suffering from harassment, sending a cease and desist harassment letter is one way to protect yourself from your violator. Below, we provide a strongly worded template to help you make an effective demand.
The letter warns your harasser to end their repeated, unwanted behavior because it’s uncomfortable, threatening, or offensive. Note: We provide a specific template to stop abusive debt collectors.
How to Write a Cease and Desist Letter for Harassment?
When writing a cease and desist harassment letter, you need to consider what you need to include. To thoroughly document the problem, we provide simple blanks for you to fill in and provide details about:
- Dates: When the harassment took place
- Location: Where the harassment occurred
- Unlawful behavior: Details of the type of harassment
Sending a cease and desist letter may enrage your harasser, or cause them to retaliate against you. In some cases, it’s simply better to go to court and immediately get a restraining order.
Sample Cease and Desist Harassment Letter
Here is what a typical cease and desist harassment letter looks like:
Cease and Desist Harassment Letter
From
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Date: _____________________
VIA ☐ Certified Mail ☐ Overnight Mail ☐ Email ☐ Facsimile ☐ Other: __________________
To
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
RE: Cease and Desist – Harassment
Dear _______________________:
This letter serves as notice to you to immediately cease and desist all harassing activities against
and towards me, including but not limited to:
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________.
Your actions are unwanted, (Check all that apply) ☐ embarrassing ☐ annoying ☐ aggressive
☐ threatening ☐ other: _____________________, and have become unbearable to me. Your actions
also infringe upon my right to remain free from harassment. As a result of your harassment, I have
suffered: ____________________________________________________________________________.
If you do not cease and desist the harassment, I will be forced to take appropriate legal action
against you and will seek all available damages and remedies.
Sincerely,
Printed Name: ____________
If you need help filling one out, our document builder provides an easy and structured way to do so.
Why Use a Cease and Desist Harassment Letter?
There are many benefits of using a cease and desist harassment letter:
- If successful, a well-written cease and desist harassment letter can put a stop to any harassment immediately
- A cease and desist harassment letter can act as additional evidence if your case goes to court
- Sending a cease and desist harassment letter can let the party or individual know they are harassing you and you may take it further if they don’t stop (particularly with online harassment or harassing phone calls)
How to Send a Cease and Desist Harassment Letter?
Once you’ve written your cease and desist harassment letter you need to send it to the offending party. You should send the letter certified return receipt via U.S. mail. This means the recipient will have to sign for it so you can be assured that they’ve received it and are forced to acknowledge the letter. Additionally, you should also email them the letter.
Is a Cease and Desist Harassment Letter Legally Enforceable?
A cease and desist harassment letter isn’t legally enforceable. It merely serves as a warning to your violator that you’ll take legal action if the harassment doesn’t stop. The letter may succeed in stopping your offender before legal action is necessary, saving you time, stress, and money.
However, by sending this letter, you can collect hard evidence that you formally asked someone to stop personally or sexually harassing you, which may aid you in court later.