In Canada, you’ll be charged with a criminal harassment offence if you’re found engaging in prohibited conduct knowingly that results in another person’s fear for the safety of their own or someone close to them. Usually referred to as stalking, criminal harassment charges include repeated but undesired attempts to communicate with a complainant.

Charges related to criminal harassment offences are usually laid against people who might wish to pursue an enforced relationship with a plaintiff. They can include sending unsolicited and unwanted phone calls or messages repeatedly, ultimately resulting in criminal harassment charges. Other examples of such criminal offence may also involve following or watching a complainant at their residence or place of work.

Although the word “harassed” has not been defined in the Canadian criminal code, the Canadian courts have usually interpreted it as being troubled, worried, or badgered as per the conduct of the accused. Repeated badgering throughout a single, extended interaction is deemed sufficient by the Canadian courts to fulfil the “repeated” element of criminal harassment offence.

If you feel you are in danger and are genuinely concerned, contact police.  

Provides medical care and emotional support for people who have been sexually assaulted in the past seven (7) days.

Registered nurses, doctors and crisis counsellors offer medical treatment, emotional support and education about options for care and reporting for people who have been sexually assaulted in the past seven (7) days.

• medical treatment with no police involvement

• medical treatment with police involvement and collection of a sexual assault exam kit

• medical treatment with no police involvement and collection of a sexual assault exam kit and one (1) year to decide if you want to report to the police.

For more information visit the Sexual Assault Response Team website.

While sexual assault is never the victim's fault, there are steps people can take to deter sexual offenders, such as: 

• Discuss with your intimate partner prior to sexual engagement what is ok and what is not. 
• Make a safe plan. Have a safe way home from a public/private venue and make sure that someone you know is aware of your plan. 
  • If you plan on using intoxicating substances do so with people you know very well or have a trusted relationship with. 
  • Don’t take drinks or intoxicating substances from people you do not know very well or have a trusted relationship with. 
  • Don’t leave your drink unattended in public venues. 

Be a Better Bystander

• If you see poor behaviour, like someone being harassed out in public, call it out. Interrupting an interaction and saying ‘that’s not okay’ can make someone think twice about their harassing behaviour. 
• Acknowledge that some people feel uncomfortable or intimidated in public spaces when others get too close. There’s no way for a person to tell whether a situation could escalate to unwanted contact, so give people space.
• Calgarians can help by talking to their children and friends about healthy relationships, the importance of sexual consent and what makes for healthy sexual encounters.