Criminal harassment

What is criminal harassment?

Repeatedly maintaining a visual or physical proximity to a person or repeatedly conveying, either directly or indirectly, threats or threats implied by conduct or a combination thereof directed towards a person.

Purposely engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury to himself/herself, a family member or his/hers or to fear the death of himself/herself or a member of their family.

Support

University of Waterloo Police

Contact University of Waterloo Police for assistance. Where appropriate they will partner with Waterloo Regional Police to address safety issues.

Counselling Services

Will assist victims related to the emotional trauma of being victimized by a stalker.

Criminal harassment anti-stalking law

Section #264 Criminal Code of Canada

1. No person shall, without lawful authority and knowing that another person is harassed, or recklessly as to whether the other person is harassed, engage in conduct referred to in subsection (2) that cause that other person reasonably, in all the circumstances, to fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them.
2. The conduct mentioned in subsection (1) consists of:
   1. repeatedly following from place to place the other person or anyone known to them;
   2. repeatedly communicating with, either directly or indirectly, the other person or anyone known to them;
   3. 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
   4. engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or any member of their family.
3. Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of:
   1. an indictable offense and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or
   2. an offense punishable on summary conviction.

Who are victims?

• Mostly women, 20 to 45 years of age; may be any age.
• 1 in 20 people will be stalked in their lifetime.
• May be from any walk of life.
• People in position of power/authority.
• May have any appearance; beauty has no boundary.
• Recognizable celebrities.
• Employers threatened by former/current employees.