What is the term for harassment that induces fear for safety or injury?

The term that best captures the concept of harassment that induces fear for safety or injury is intimidation. Intimidation typically involves a behavior or actions that instill fear in a person, suggesting the possibility of harm or injury, whether physical or psychological. This aligns with the legal interpretation, where the conduct aims to control or coerce an individual through the creation of an environment that is fearful or threatening.

In contrast, other terms have specific definitions that do not entirely encapsulate the concept of inducing fear for safety. For example, stalking usually refers to a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention or contact that causes a person to feel fear; while closely related, it implies ongoing behavior rather than immediate fear. Breaching an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) could also involve harassment, but it specifically relates to the violation of a legal order intended to protect a person from harassment. Choking refers to a physical act that may induce panic or fear but does not directly denote a broader pattern of intimidation. Thus, intimidation is the most appropriate term for harassment that creates fear for safety or injury.