This information was compiled with your personal safety in mind. It
contains information adapted from the Justice Institute of
British Columbia's Personal Safety Guide.
We hope this information will help people to take responsibility
for keeping each other safe.
If you need emergency assistance, Call 9-1-1.
If You Are Being Stalked...
What the Law Says...
What to do....
1. Make a Report to the Police...
2. Keep a Detailed Written Record...
3. Ask for a No-contact Order...
4. Do not agree to or initiate contact with the stalker...
5. Let people around you know about problems you are experiencing...
6. Depending on your Degree of Discomfort, you could...
7. Be Aware of your Personal Safety at home and outside the home...
8. Develop an Emergency Plan...
9. Get Information or Counselling...
10. Get Financial Assistance...
To The End of this Page...
- Report it to the police immediately.
- Keep a detailed written record of all incidents.
- Ask the police or a lawyer to get a legal order prohibiting
contact.
- DO NOT initiate or agree to any contact with the stalker.
- Let your family, friends, neighbours and co-workers know
what's happening.
- Check your home security, and be safety-conscious inside
and outside your home. Develop an emergency plan.
- Contact the Victim's Information Line at 1-800-563-0808.
- If required, take advantage of available financial assistance
to promote you and your family's safety and well-being.
Contents...
(In Canada)
Stalking becomes the criminal offence of "criminal harassment"
when somebody engages in a pattern of behaviour designed to
induce fear in another person. Section 264 of the Criminal
Code of Canada states:
(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 causes the 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 9(1) consists of:
(a) repeatedly following from place to place the other person or
anyone known to them;
(b) repeatedly communicating with, either directly or indirectly,
the other person or anyone known to them;
(c) besetting or watching with, either directly or indirectly, the
other person, or anyone known to them, resides, works, carries on
business or happens to be; or:
(d) engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or
any member of their family.
Contents...
If the person stalking you is a former husband, boyfriend or
common-law partner, report it to the police so that they can
conduct a full investigation and prepare a Report to Crown
Counsel on the viability of criminal charges.
Record the name and identification of the police officer. Request
the incident number that the report will be filed under, and
explain that you will be calling to check on the status of your
report.
Insist that the police file a written report on your complaint,
regardless of whether charges are recommended.
If the police do not recommend charges, and the threat continues,
seek further advice and assistance from your local Victim
Assistance Program, Legal Aid or your own lawyer.
Contents...
This should include all incidents of stalking / harassing
behaviour, including phone calls, threats, notes, unwelcome
visits, damage to property and verbal abuse. Include incidents
of harassment by the same person against friends, family,
neighbours and co-workers.
Write down the time and date of the incident, the names of
other witness (if any) and a description of what occurred.
Report all incidents to the police. Use the emergency police
number (9-1-1) if you are in a dangerous or threatening
situation.
Always report any physical attacks or threats involving guns
or other weapons.
Contents...
If the police recommend charges, ask for a no-contact order,
which will prohibit the accused from contacting you directly or
indirectly until the prosecution is concluded. Report any
breaches to the police immediately.
If the police do not recommend charges and the threat continues,
seek assistance from your local Victim Assistance Program, Legal
Aid, or your own lawyer on seeking a peace bond or restraining
order.
Contents...
Report all contact to the police and write down the details of
the contact.
Contents...
Such people include family, friends, neighbours, co-workers,
employers, doctors and other health service workers, and anyone
else whom the stalker might attempt to contact. This diminishes
threats by stalkers to pass on personal information about you to
the people around you, and also alerts your social circle to the
need to not release information about you to anyone.
Contents...
- Get a new, unlisted phone number, a display phone, or an
answering machine.
- Review your household security, including locks, points or
entry into your residence, exterior lighting and residential
alarms.
- Share your home with a roommate or boarder.
- Relocate to a more secure residence.
Contents...
Check your car before getting in.
Try to park in well-lit places with lots of people around.
Do not enter your home if you think someone has been, or still
is, in your home.
Call the police immediately if you think someone is inside
or outside your home.
When leaving your home, plan where you are going and how you
are going to get there (Eg: car, bus, with friends) - and let
someone know.
Contents...
Keep a stash of emergency clothing for yourself and your
children, as well as money, keys and other day-to-day items
accessible somewhere outside your home, in case you have to
leave quickly.
Have a place to go in case you have to leave your home quickly.
Contents...
Contact your local women-serving organization, women's centre,
sexual assault/women assault centre or transition house for
information on counselling, support groups and other services
in your area.
Call the Victim's Information Line at 1-800-563-0808 if
you need help locating these organizations in your community.
Contents...
There may be some things you cannot do without financial
assistance. If so:
- File a claim for Criminal Injuries Compensation (1-800-661-2112)
- Talk to Legal Aid or your own lawyer about seeking damages
for the safety-related changes you have had to make to your
lifestyle.
- Check whether you are eligible for financial assistance
from the Ministry of Social Services.
Contents...
