YWCA Fresh Start start 3:Layout 1 - YWCA Canada

FRESH START If your partner breaks any of the release conditions, you can call thepolice. He can be charged with another criminal offence known as“breach of recognizance.”WHAT IF MY PARTNER STALKS ME?Like many abusive men, your partner may begin stalking you onceyou leave him. Stalking behaviours include threatening you, followingyou or waiting and watching you, your children, your family oranyone you know, calling repeatedly, emailing or texting you orsending you things you do not want.Any ongoing unwanted contact that makes you afraid is stalking. It isconsidered a ‘building block crime’ because it often starts with smallincidents that get bigger, more frequent and more threatening. It maystart with unwanted gifts, repeated calls, following you, threatening toharm you or a loved one and build up to such acts as harming pets,sexual or physical assaults, kidnapping and even murder.Many kinds of stalking are illegal and are called criminal harassment.If your partner is stalking you, it is a good idea to take one step at atime.• Assess your level of safety.• Make a plan in case a crisis occurs.• If your partner is close to you, whenever possible go to or stay in apublic space with other people around you.• Call the police or a women’s shelter, which may be able to provideemergency transportation for you if you need it.If you decide to report your stalker to the police, they may be able tocharge him with criminal harassment. Telling your story to the policecan be difficult, so you may find it helpful to take a supportive personwith you. This person can help you keep track of the information youget from the police and provide you with emotional support. If youcan, give the police copies of any gifts, notes or emails your stalker hassent you as well as a written description and a picture of to help themfind and identify him.Keep written records of your meeting with the police, including thenames of anyone you talk to, what they said and the file number thepolice assign to your case. You can use this number each time youcontact the police to assist them in finding your file. It will also be47