STALKING/CRIMINAL HARASSMENT
Stalking is a crime which Canadian criminal law calls harassment.

PUNISHMENT FOR
STALKING/CRIMINAL HARASSMENT

• The punishment for stalking can be as high as a five year jail term.
• New changes to the criminal code makes it easier for the police to charge a stalker.
• The law now protects you even if the conduct of the stalker is not done with the intent to scare you.
• It is enough if it does scare you.
• You can also get a restraining order or a peace bond against the stalker, a measure which might be preferable in some cases of stalking.

ARE YOU BEING STALKED/
CRIMINALLY HARASSED
There are several signs that are good indicators of stalking behaviour. It is also important to consider the intensity and pattern of such behaviours. Some behaviours, in and of themselves are common place and might not be indicative of stalking.

It is vital that you do not jump to conclusions, but consult your local police services or other qualifed professional familiar with stalking behaviours. Trained professionals who can assist in assessing your situation and offer guidance.

• Persistent phone calls despite being told not to contact in any form
• Waiting at workplace or in neighbourhood
• Threats
• Manipulative behaviour for example:

  Threatening to commit suicide in order to get a response

  Sending written messages : letters, e-mails, grafitti

  Sending gifts from the seemingly "romantic" ~ flowers and/or
  

  candy to the bizarre ~ dog teeth, a bed pan, a blood soaked feather

  Property damage

  The stalker often lies to others about the victim
  

  (claims of infidelity)

FORMS OF STALKED/
CRIMINAL HARASSMENT
According to the anti-stalking/criminal harassment laws a person can be charged with stalking/criminal harassment for willfully and repeatedly contacting another individual, without permission. Under these laws, assailants could be charged with stalking/criminal harassment for:

• Repeatedly following or appearing within the sight of another
• Repeatedly appearing at the work place or residence of another
• Repeatedly entering or remaining on an individual's property
• Repeatedly contacting by telephone
• Repeatedly sending mail or electronic mail

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE
BEING STALKED/HARASSED
Remember you neither wanted nor deserved to be stalked. You are the victim, not the criminal. Suggestions of what to do if stalked are listed below. Every situation is different, so there are no set guidelines. Use your own judgment as to what actions to take.

• Make sure you have communicated a definite "NO" to the stalker, not just brushed them off. Then end all communication with them.
• Report to your local police department that you are a victim of stalking/criminal harassment, whether or not you plan to file formal charges.
• Make sure your friends, family and employer are aware of the situation. The more eyes watching your back, the safer you will be.
• Build your case against the stalker by providing the police with any or all of the following:

  Documentation (personal journal or diary of the stalker's activities)

  Taped recording(s) of threatening telephone calls

  Videotape of stalker's actions

  Basic identifying information
  

  (i.e. license plate number, make of car, personal appearance)

  List of contacts with the stalker
  

  (i.e. date, time, place, what was said, letters/call received)