Define | Examples | What does it look like | Resources | What to do
Stalking (formally known as criminal harassment) can be terrifying. Victims may suffer psychological abuse and sometimes physical trauma that’s often more difficult to overcome than violent behaviour.
Unlike crimes that consist of a single act, stalking is a series of actions that on their own can be legal, such as telephone calls, sending gifts, or sending e-mails. Most cases of stalking never escalate to extreme levels of violence or harassment. To convince police or security that someone is stalking you, it can be important to keep a diary of events or unusual circumstances that lead you to believe you’re being stalked. Taken alone, one event can mean nothing, but taken together, a series of events could be deemed criminal harassment.
Criminal harassment is defined by the Criminal Code of Canada as follows:
Criminal harassment
(1) Engaging in conduct such as referred to in subsection (2) that causes the another person reasonably, in all the circumstances, to fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them.
Prohibited conduct
(2) The conduct mentioned in subsection (1) consists of
- Repeatedly following from place to place the other person or anyone known to them;
- Repeatedly communicating with, either directly or indirectly, the other person or anyone known to them;
- Besetting or watching the dwelling-house, or place where the other person, or anyone known to them, resides, works, carries on business or happens to be; or
- Engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or any member of their family
Examples of Stalking/Criminal Harassment
Moderate
Mary and Joe recently broke up after dating for three years. Joe moves on with his life, attending school and getting good grades. Mary, on the other hand, is very depressed and anxious. She’s been unable to go to work and can barely get through an hour without crying. She’s desperate to get back with Joe. She calls his cell phone and his house phone at least every 15 minutes and leaves messages - some tearful, some angry, and some are just garbled. After the first few days, Joe stops answering her calls. His parents are angry about the constant interruptions.
Harsh
After a week of not getting any replies to her phone calls, Mary goes to the College and waits outside a classroom for Joe. She confronts him in the hall, begging him to talk to her. She cries and claims she’ll kill herself if he doesn’t talk to her. Joe is embarrassed and walks away, with Mary following him to the parking lot. Joe drives away and Mary tries to catch up in her own car but is unable to follow him. Joe is relieved yet somewhat concerned about Mary, but he drives home.
An hour later Joe decides to grab a pizza because the phone keeps ringing and he knows it’s Mary. As he opens the door, he sees Mary’s car across the street and she’s sitting in the driver’s seat. He also sees a pile of things he’s given Mary over the years, broken and destroyed. Joe’s stomach does a roll and his heart jumps into his throat.
What does stalking/criminal harassment look like?
Stalking/criminal harassment can include a number of different behaviours intended to control and frighten the person being stalked. Some behaviours are:
- repeated phone calls, letters or e-mails
- sending unwanted gifts (flowers, candy, etc.)
- showing up uninvited at work or home
- following, watching, tracking
- threatening harm to the person being stalked, to family members, friends, or pets
- harassing an employer, colleague or family member
Resources
Create your personal community resource list. In addition to the police, there are a variety of organizations that can offer support or helpful information. Look in the white, yellow or blue pages of your telephone book for contact numbers for the following local or provincial agencies:
Police - (911 in an emergency)
Can help you assess your safety and take action against someone committing a crime.
Sheridan College Security - 905-845-9430 ext. 4044
Can share general information about the law, the legal system and your rights.
Counseling Services - Ext. 2521, Trafalgar and STC campuses; Ext. 5160, Davis Campus
Can provide information on resources and help you manage during periods of crisis.
Crisis Line
May be able to help with crisis intervention and refer you to helpful services.
Transition House
Can provide shelter, information and referrals for women who are stalked by partners
or ex-partners.
People you trust
Family, friends, doctor, or religious adviser may be able to offer emotional support.
Other
Look for other resources. You may be able to get help from a local women's centre,
a sexual assault centre, a gay/lesbian support group, and so on
Web
http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/fm/victims.html
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/
http://www.ocrcc.ca/
http://www.metrac.org/new/faq_sta.htm
What you can do if someone is stalking or harassing you
- Think about your safety and get help. The first thing to do is call the police.
- Dial 911 if you are in immediate danger; call Security if you want to make a report
(ext. 4044). - Avoid all contact with your stalker, if you know who it is.
- Keep track of all stalking events - gifts, phone calls or e-mails.
- Call the regular police number to discuss other criminal harassment offences.
- Let the police know you fear for your safety or for the safety of someone you know.
Tell your friends, family and neighbours what’s going on and seek their support.