FEDERAL -- PROVINCIAL - TERRITORIAL JUSTICE MINISTERS RELEASE GUIDELINES ON CRIMINAL HARASSMENT

OTTAWA, December 8, 1999 On December 3, 1999, Federal, Provincial and Territorial Justice Ministers released guidelines for police and Crown prosecutors who enforce the law against criminal harassment. The release of the guidelines fulfil important commitments by all Ministers Responsible for Justice to prevent crime, decrease victimization and promote safer communities

The guidelines are contained in A Handbook for Police and Crown Prosecutors on Criminal Harassment. They promote an integrated criminal justice response to the problem, which includes conduct commonly referred to as "stalking", and identify the safety of the victim in the criminal justice process as a priority for officials handling criminal harassment cases. The Handbook will also be a useful and practical reference tool for other criminal justice professionals, such as corrections, probation and parole authorities.

In 1995, two years after criminal harassment was added to the Criminal Code as a separate and distinct offence, Justice Ministers created a Working Group of their Federal, Provincial and Territorial officials, to develop guidelines to respond to the needs of police and Crown prosecutors in the effective enforcement of these provisions. The Handbook addresses a full range of criminal harassment cases, and responds to findings and recommendations of a 1997 Department of Justice Canada review of criminal harassment provisions in the Criminal Code.

The guidelines may be adapted by provinces and territories to respond to the individual needs of each jurisdiction and their policies on a number of related issues, including for example, spousal abuse. Provinces and territories will be distributing the Handbook to authorities within their respective jurisdictions.

A Handbook for Police and Crown Prosecutors on Criminal Harassment will be available online at the Department of Justice Canada's website by mid-December, or by calling (613) 957-4222.

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Ref:

Line Chabot-Racine
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621

Carole Morency 
Senior CounselFamily, Children and Youth Section
(613) 957-4691