Harassment is a crime. If proven, depending on the severity and frequency of the conduct and the harasser's prior criminal record, harassment can be punishable as either a gross misdemeanor or a felony. Harassment can mean many things. It can refer to the actions of a person (or group) who is repeatedly sending you threatening letters, calling you on the phone, or repeatedly sending you unwanted gifts. It can also involve behavior such as following you, watching you, and coming to your place of work or home. This behavior is commonly referred to as "stalking". Harassment can also include intentionally exposing you to materials which the harasser knows, or has reason to know, are culturally offensive or intimidating to you.
It is not necessary that the harasser intend for the conduct to produce feelings of fear or intimidation in the victim, only that the harasser has reason to know that the conduct would cause such feelings. In some instances, harassment results from infatuation or romantic obsession. The harasser does not intend for the behavior to make the victim fearful; the harasser is trying to prove "love" for the victim. The law now reflects the understanding that, regardless of the motivation for the conduct, it disrupts the victim's life and may threaten the victim's safety.
Harassment is extremely frustrating to deal with, and can be difficult to prove in court. However, if there is sufficient evidence, you can get a restraining order and the offender can be charged with a crime, either for violating the order or for the harassment itself.