Criminal offenses

If the targeted person fears for their safety or that of their loved ones, the following behaviors can constitute criminal harassment:

• Repeatedly communicating with the person or one of their loved ones.
• Behaving in a threatening manner towards the person or one of their loved ones.

Communicating with someone with the intent to harass them. For it to be a crime, there must be repeated calls or numerous communications via texts, emails, or messages over the internet.

Forcing someone to act in a certain way to obtain something, using threats, accusations, or violence.

Example: “Send me more intimate photos of you or I’ll send the ones I already have to your parents.”

Threatening to kill or injure a person or their pet.

Example: “I’m going to beat you up!” 

Threatening to burn, destroy, or damage objects.

Example: “I’m going to come burn your stuff!”

Advising someone to take their own life or encouraging them to do so.

Example: “You should jump off the bridge!”

Sharing an intimate photo or video of a person without their consent, regardless of their age. An intimate photo or video is an image showing:

• A person’s genitalia, breasts, or buttocks
• Explicit sexual activity

It is illegal to take a photo or make an intimate video of a child or teenager. It is also illegal to view these images, have them on your computer or phone, or send them to others.

Using force against another person without their consent, such as hitting or pushing them.

Attacking or threatening another person with a weapon or any object used as a weapon, such as a knife or a stick.

Deliberately breaking or damaging property that belongs to someone else.

Taking something that belongs to someone else without their permission, like a phone, headphones, or clothes.