Harassment Cease & Desist Letter Template (Free Download + Guide)

Table of Contents

Video: Learn About Cease and Desist Letters

You can watch this video before you send a Cease and Desist Letter to get answers to these questions:

What is a Cease and Desist letter?
When should I send one?
Who can send one?
How detailed should I be?
What does a Cease and Desist letter do?
What are some common mistakes made when making a Cease and Desist letter?

Types of Harassment a Cease and Desist Letter Can Address

Harassment takes many forms, and a cease and desist letter can be an effective first step in addressing several types of unwanted conduct:

Personal harassment — Repeated unwanted contact, following, surveillance, or intimidation by an individual. This includes behavior that may constitute stalking under state law.
Neighbor disputes — Ongoing harassment by a neighbor, including threats, property damage, excessive noise intended to disturb, or trespassing.
Online harassment and cyberbullying — Threatening messages, doxxing (publishing private information), impersonation, or coordinated online attacks intended to harm your reputation or safety.
Workplace harassment — Unwanted conduct by a coworker, supervisor, or business associate that creates a hostile environment. Note that workplace harassment may also involve employer obligations under employment law.
HOA and community disputes — Targeted harassment by homeowners association members or boards, including selective enforcement, threats, or public humiliation.
Telephone and text harassment — Persistent unwanted calls, voicemails, or text messages, particularly after you have asked the person to stop.

How to Document Harassment Before Sending a Cease and Desist

Strong documentation strengthens your cease and desist letter and creates a foundation for legal action if the harassment continues. Before sending a letter, gather the following evidence:

Written records — Keep a detailed log of every incident, including the date, time, location, what happened, and the names of any witnesses.
Screenshots and recordings — Save screenshots of threatening texts, emails, social media posts, and voicemails. Record dates and preserve the originals.
Witness statements — If others have observed the harassment, ask them to provide written statements describing what they saw or heard.
Police reports — If any incidents involved threats of violence, property damage, or conduct that may be criminal, file a police report. This creates an official record.
Medical or counseling records — If the harassment has caused physical symptoms or emotional distress requiring treatment, keep records of those visits.

Thorough documentation demonstrates the pattern and severity of the harassment, making your cease and desist letter more credible and any subsequent legal action more effective. For guidance on potential risks before sending your letter, see Cease and Desist Letter Risks.

Example Harassment Cease & Desist

Below is an example cease and desist letter for harassment. Click here for other types of cease and desist letter templates. As a general rule, a cease and desist template should not be used without first consulting with an experienced attorney.

Tips to Sending a Cease & Desist Letter

People using this template form should edit out the brackets [ ] and fill in the appropriate information that is applicable to themselves.

Also, anyone using this will want to be as detailed as possible when naming specific instances of unwanted behavior.

Read over this form carefully before sending it out in order to make sure that all of the information you have supplied is accurate.

When you send this letter to the perpetrator, allow 15 days for a response. This gives the perpetrator time to receive the letter (the mail can be slow sometimes), read it over, examine his/her own legal rights, and mail it back (allowing time for the letter to slowly move through the mail on the return trip).

Make sure that the perpetrator’s activities actually fall outside the scope of his/her legal rights. Remember, people sometimes do annoying or creepy things, but those things are not always illegal. If someone is acting in a way that is still bothersome to you but those activities do not necessarily fall within the definition of stalking or harassment, this may not be the appropriate remedy and you may need to pursue a different course of action.

Free Download of Cease and Desist Letter for Harassment

→ CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD harassment-cease-and-desist.doc

[Your name][Your address – line 1][Your address – line 2]

[Perpetrator’s name][Perpetrator’s address – line 1][Perpetrator’s address – line 2]

[Today’s date]

RE: Cease and desist from [stalking/harassing/etc.]

Dear [Perpetrator’s name]:

This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER is to inform you that your persistent actions including but not limited to [insert actions here (example: calling me in the middle of the night and hanging up, waiting outside my house, etc)] have become unbearable. You are ORDERED TO STOP such activities immediately as they are being done in violation of the law.

I have the right to remain free from these activities as they constitute [harassment/stalking/etc.], and I will pursue any legal remedies available to me against you if these activities continue. These remedies include but are not limited to: contacting law enforcement to obtain criminal sanctions against you, and suing you civilly for damages I have incurred as a result of your actions.

Again, you must IMMEDIATELY STOP [unwanted activities] and send me written confirmation that you will stop such activities. You risk incurring some very severe legal consequences if you fail to comply with this demand.

This letter acts as your final warning to discontinue this unwanted conduct before I pursue legal actions against you. At this time, I am not contacting the authorities or filing civil suit against you, as I hope we can resolve this matter without authoritative involvement. I am not under any circumstances, however, waiving any legal rights I have presently, or future legal remedies against you by sending you this letter. This order acts as ONE FINAL CHANCE for you to cease your illegal activities before I exercise my rights.

To ensure compliance with this letter, and to halt any legal action I may take against you, I require you to fill in and sign the attached form and mail it back to me within 10 days of your receipt of this letter. Failure to do so will act as evidence of your infringement upon my legal rights, and I will immediately seek legal avenues to remedy the situation.

Sincerely,

[your signature]___[your printed name]

CEASE AND DESIST COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

I, [insert perpetrator’s name here] do hereby agree to stop [insert unwanted activities here] which are in violation of [your full name]’s rights. I understand that this is my final chance to cease these activities. I understand that [your full name] potentially has the right to pursue legal action against me relating to my engagement in these activities, but [he/she] will not pursue those rights in contemplation of my compliance with this written demand. I further understand that [your full name] has not waived [his/her] rights and may pursue legal remedies against me if I fail to abide by this agreement. I understand that this agreement is not specifically limited to the activities named herein. I will not engage in any activity now or in the future done for the purpose of [stalking/harassing] [your full name]. I furthermore agree not to engage in any activity, regardless of its official title, that is done in violation of [your full name]’s legal rights. If I fail to cease performing these activities, [your full name] may pursue legal action against me in accordance [his/her] legal rights. This agreement acts as a contract between [perpetrator’s name] and [your full name]. Forbearing enforcement of legally enforceable remedies is sufficient consideration to support this agreement. This agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties. Any statements made orally, written, or otherwise which are not contained herein shall have no impact on either parties’ rights or obligations elaborated in this agreement.

Date ____________________

________________________[perpetrator’s printed name]

________________________[perpetrator’s signature]

What to Do If Harassment Continues After Sending a Cease and Desist

If the harassment does not stop after you send a cease and desist letter, you have several legal options:

Restraining order or order for protection — You can petition a court for a restraining order or harassment restraining order, which is a legally enforceable court order requiring the person to stop the conduct and, in many cases, to stay away from you. Violating a restraining order is a criminal offense.
Police involvement — If the conduct constitutes criminal harassment, stalking, or threats, report it to law enforcement. Your cease and desist letter and documentation provide evidence of the pattern of behavior.
Civil lawsuit — You may file a civil lawsuit seeking monetary damages for harm caused by the harassment, including emotional distress, lost wages, and medical expenses. Your cease and desist letter serves as evidence that you attempted to resolve the matter before litigation.
Employer or institutional complaint — If the harassment is occurring in a workplace, school, or organizational context, formal complaints through internal channels may trigger additional protections and obligations.

Harassment Cease and Desist Letters in the Workplace

Workplace harassment involves additional legal considerations. Employers have a legal obligation to provide a work environment free from harassment based on protected characteristics such as race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, and age.

If you are experiencing workplace harassment, a cease and desist letter may be appropriate in some situations, but you should also consider:

Internal reporting — Most employers have policies requiring harassment to be reported to HR or management. Reporting through official channels creates a record and may trigger the employer’s obligation to investigate and take corrective action.
Government agency complaints — Depending on the type of harassment, you may be able to file a complaint with the EEOC (federal), your state’s human rights department, or another regulatory agency.
Retaliation protections — Employment law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report harassment. Document any changes in your working conditions after making a complaint.

For more information on workplace harassment, see Legal Solutions for Managing Workplace Harassment Claims and How to Prevent Employee Harassment Claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cease and desist letter for harassment legally binding?

No. A cease and desist letter is a formal demand, not a court order. It does not have independent legal force. However, it creates a documented record that you asked the person to stop, which strengthens your position if you later need to seek a restraining order or file a lawsuit.

Can I send a harassment cease and desist without a lawyer?

Yes. Anyone can send a cease and desist letter. However, a letter from an attorney may carry more weight and is more likely to be taken seriously. An attorney can also help you evaluate whether a cease and desist is the right strategy or whether you should pursue a restraining order or other legal remedy instead.

What is the difference between a cease and desist letter and a restraining order?

A cease and desist letter is a private written demand with no legal force on its own. A restraining order (or order for protection) is issued by a court and is legally enforceable. Violating a restraining order can result in arrest and criminal charges. A cease and desist letter is often a first step before seeking a restraining order.

Will a cease and desist stop someone from harassing me?

It depends. Many people will stop once they receive a formal written demand, particularly if it comes from an attorney and references specific legal consequences. However, a cease and desist letter alone cannot physically prevent someone from continuing their behavior. If the harassment continues, you may need to pursue a restraining order or involve law enforcement.

Can I send a cease and desist for online harassment?

Yes. A cease and desist letter can address online harassment, including threatening messages, cyberstalking, doxxing, and defamatory posts on social media. The challenge with online harassment is identifying the person responsible. If you can identify the harasser, a cease and desist letter is a reasonable first step. You may also be able to report the conduct to the platform where it is occurring.

How much does it cost to have an attorney send a cease and desist letter?

Costs vary depending on the complexity of the situation, the attorney’s experience, and geographic location. A straightforward cease and desist letter typically costs between $500 and $2,000 when prepared by an attorney. While this represents an upfront investment, an attorney-drafted letter is more likely to achieve the desired result and positions you well if litigation becomes necessary.

Cease and Desist Harassment or Intimidation Example Template Letter