Criminal Harassment includes numerous behaviours with the intent to control and frighten the victim. It can cause fear, depression, alienation, isolation, loss of confidence, confusion, powerlessness and hopelessness.
Know the Law: Cyberbullying, Exploitation, Scams, and How to Seek Help
The digital world offers countless opportunities for connection, learning and creativity, but it also comes with legal responsibilities that everyone should know. Online activities like cyberbullying, sharing explicit images without consent, hacking and fraud are not only harmful- they are also illegal under Canadian Law. Reported data shows:
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- 20% of Canadians have been victims of cybercrime.
- 45% increase in online exploitation reports from 2023.
- 28,634 victims of fraud totaling more than 577 million dollars in 2023.
With the rise of online activities, it is important to know when, where and how to report these incidences. This page contains free online safety resources that can be useful in understanding online activity and reporting illegal or concerning activities.
Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre cybertip!ca
Types of Chargeable Offences Related to Online Activity
Publication of Intimate Image Without Consent and Exploitation
Knowingly publishing, distributing, transmitting, selling, making available or advertising an intimate image of a person without consent, or being reckless as to whether that person gave their consent may be charged with Publication of Intimate Image Without Consent. If you are worried about publication of intimate images/videos without consent, visit these resources:
- Cybertip is Canada’s tipline for reporting the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Also, they provide the public with information and other resources, as well as support and referral services, to help Canadians keep themselves and their families safe while using the internet
- Thorn for Parents Adults today need to be equipped to have conversations with their children about safety online, and they need to understand the unique risks when sexual exploration and technology mix. Learn when and how to have conversations about consent and the risks of sharing images. Also, learn what access your child likely has, and things to consider when it comes to monitoring their behavior.
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In Alberta, child exploitation is real. Visit the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) to learn how law enforcement agencies across Alberta are making Safer Communities for All.
Learn more about keeping kids in Alberta safe by visiting the ALERT website.
If an individual verbally threatens someone they could be charged with Uttering Threats. Compelling someone to do something they had the right to lawfully do, or to do anything unlawful could result in an Intimidation charge.
If an individual counsels, encourages or aids a person to commit suicide, whether the suicide attempt was successful they could be charged with Counselling Suicide (actively encouraging someone to engage in self-harm and/or suicide).
Acts of hate, defamation, impersonation, blackmail, the unauthorized use of a computer, and knowingly sending false messages with intent to harm are also covered under the criminal code and subject to prosecution.
Cyberbullying and the Law
According to Public Safety Canada (2022), cyberbullying is when someone threatens, harasses, embarrasses, or socially excludes an individual through the use of technology. Cyberbullying can take place through phone calls, emails, texts, instant messaging, social networking platforms, blogging sites, and online gaming sites. Due to using technology, cyberbullying provides the sense of anonymity, increases access to the target, and less supervision compared to “offline” bullying.
Resources for Cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying and the Law Family Tips for Cyberbullying Check out the Trends
Frauds and Scams
Fraud and scams have been on the rise, especially with the advances in artificial intelligence (AI). These advances have made scams more credible and are impacting an increasing proportion of Canadians.
Artificial intelligence (AI): is a set of technologies that enables computers/apps to perform a variety of advanced functions typically requiring human involvement. AI has the ability to see, understand, translate, analyze and make recommendations. It can create content, including text, images and audio. This advanced tool has changed the way many people use their technology and has created new risks when online.
The senior population has been a target for advanced scams also known as emergency scams or the grandparent scam. These scams involve fraudsters calling and pretending to be a family member – usually a grandchild- claiming they are in some sort of trouble and need money immediately. Lethbridge Police Service would like to remind residences of these key points when they receive a scam call:
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- Always verify the caller’s identity and the legitimacy of their story. Call the grandchild directly and if they can’t be reached, contact their parents, siblings or another relative who can help verify the story.
- If a caller claims to be a police officer, lawyer, judge or other official call the police station or courthouse directly to confirm their identity and the legitimacy of the call.
- Do not use any phone numbers or other contact details provided by the caller to try and verify information.
- Do not provide money, gift cards, bitcoin or any other form of payment to someone you do not know.
- Bail is always paid in person at the police station, courthouse or correctional center and receipt of payment is provided. Police and court officials will never attend someone’s home to pick-up cash.
- Never disclose any personal information over the phone to someone you don’t know.
Resources
Learn how to protect yourself and how to report frauds and scams and get local updates by visiting the Lethbridge Police Services website.
Learn more about cybercrime across Canada by visiting the RCMP Cybercrime website.
ALERT- Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams
In Alberta, child exploitation is real. Visit the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) to learn how law enforcement agencies across Alberta are making Safer Communities for All.
Learn more about keeping kids in Alberta safe by visiting the ALERT website.
The Little Black Book of Scams
Government of Canada document highlighting various types of fraud and scams. Available in numerous languages include Arabic, Chinese, French, Punjabi, Spanish and Tagalog
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center collects information on fraud, identity theft and cybercrime. They provide information on past and current scams affecting Canadians.
If you think you’re a victim of fraud, Report it!
Provide youth and parents with resources about how to navigate the incidence of online exploitation, including sexting, posting of intimate images. The site features:
- Ongoing support and detailed steps to request the removal of images or videos from websites or other online platforms.
- Provides tips on how to respond to ongoing incidences of online exploitation.
- The option to connect you with local resources like counselling support or victim services.
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people Feel Out Loud. Services include:
- Mental health tips and information.
- Crisis support through phone, text or online chat.
- Professional Counselling.
- Support forums and so much more
Kids Help Phone is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, you can call 911. If you are seeking mental health supports right now, you can:
- Text CONNECT to 686868
- Call 1-800-668-6868
- Direct messaging
Cybertip.ca is Canada’s tipline for reporting the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
Cybertip.ca receives and addresses online and phone reports from the public regarding potentially illegal material, as well as activities regarding the online sexual exploitation of children and refers any relevant leads to the appropriate law enforcement agency and/or child welfare agency.
They also provide the public with information and other resources, as well as support and referral services to help Canadians keep themselves and their families safe while using the internet.
Stats: Between 2022 and 2023, Cybertip.ca saw a 45% increase in online sexual exploitation reports, with a total of 27,429. 1,498 of those reports came from Alberta. More information can be found by visiting Cybertip.ca.
Take It Down is operated by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Take It Down is a free service that can help you remove or stop the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of you when you were under 18 years old. You can remain anonymous while using the service and you won’t have to send your images or videos to anyone. Take It Down will work on public or unencrypted online platforms that have agreed to participate.
Learn more about Take It Down by visiting their Frequently Asked Questions page.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a national charity dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Their goal is to reduce the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, assist in the location of missing children and prevent child victimization through several programs, services and resources for Canadian families, educators, child-serving organizations, law enforcement and other parties.
For trusted sources of up-to-date information, visit:
