What Is Criminal Harassment?

Under section 264(1) of Criminal Code, 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 causes that other person reasonably, in all the circumstances, to fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them.

(2) The prohibited 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.

Examples of criminal harassment

• Watching or tracking you, your children, or others close to you.
• Threatening to harm or damage your property or pets.
• Calling you repeatedly, hanging up or not speaking when you answer.
• Calling your children, family members, friends or co-workers, asking about you.
• Sending you things you don’t want

Criminal harassment can also include vandalism or other minor criminal offences, if they are part of a deliberate pattern that leads the victim to fear for their safety.

A stalker can be anyone, such as former partners, friend, co-worker, roommate, client, employee, fellow student, or a total stranger.

If there are immediate safety risks:

• Call 911
• Follow 911 call taker’s instructions

If there are no immediate safety risks:

• Call local police agency non-emergency line (https://vpd.ca/report-a-crime/)
• Police will ask for the history of the relationship, contact details, and whether the offender is aware that the contact is unwanted.

For more information, please refer to VPD Criminal Harassment.