Most Stalkers Are Men Who Prey On Women
Condensed from article in the London Free Press December 18, 1996

A Statistics Canada report on stalking states that from 1994-1995 there was 7,462 incidents and 5,382 people accused of stalking in Canada. One-quarter of stalking incidents resulted in some sort of related crime but 91 per cent of victims suffered no physical injury. Research suggests that the threat of harm can affect ones emotional and physical well-being. 

Statistics Canada found that eight in ten stalking victims were female while nine out of ten accused stalkers were male. 

About 39% of the female victims were stalked by an ex-husband, another 17% were stalked by a current or former boyfriend. One in four victims were stalked by a casual acquaintance. 

Information from the 1994 data shows that 39 per cent of the criminal harassment charges were dropped while over one-third resulted in a conviction. Of those convicted, six out of ten received probation as the most serious sentence and one-third received a jail term of less than six months. 

In August of 1993, Canada's stalking legislation was added to the Criminal Code. Stalking is defined as repeatedly following or communicating with another person, repeatedly watching someone's house or workplace or directly threatening another person or any member of their family, causing fear for their safety.