==What is stalking? What is criminal harassment?==

Stalking is conduct that may—in some cases—be criminal harassment under section 264 of the Criminal Code of Canada. For stalking to be criminal harassment, here’s what’s required:

:*repeatedly follow you, or anyone you know.

:*repeatedly communicate with you, or anyone you know, directly or indirectly.

:*repeatedly watch you, or anyone you know, or lurk around your home, workplace, or any other place you happen to be.

:*engage in any threatening conduct directed at you or a member of your family.

A person can be stalking even if they don’t physically hurt anyone or damage any property. The law is designed to protect psychological, emotional, and physical safety.

If a court finds a person guilty, of criminal harassment or distributing an intimate image without consent, after a guilty plea or trial, it can impose many different sentences. The court will choose a sentence based on the person's criminal record and the severity of their crime. If the person is not sent to jail, they will usually be ordered to obey certain conditions similar to the conditions imposed at the bail stage. For example, a court will normally order a person convicted of criminal harassment to have no contact with you directly or indirectly, to stay away from your home and workplace, and to not own or carry any weapons. A court may also ban a convicted person from using the internet. And a court may order a convicted person to take counseling, if it might help.