Is emotional or psychological abuse a criminal offence?
The Criminal Code doesn’t fully address
the issue of emotional or psychological abuse of adults in terms
of making it criminal behaviour. Some criminal offences are committed
by making a threat to cause harm to someone, to someone close to
that person, or to that person’s property:
- Assault can be committed by attempting or
threatening to apply force to another person if the other person
believes that the abuser has the ability to carry out the act.
- The offence of harassment includes behaviour
of threatening conduct directed at another person where that
person then fears for her or his safety.
- The law defines the offence of uttering threats
as follows: when someone knowingly utters, conveys, or causes anyone
to receive a threat
- to kill or physically harm someone;
- to burn, destroy, or damage property; or
- to kill, poison, or injure an animal or bird belonging to
the victim.
There may be legislation in your province or territory concerning
the treatment of neglected adults. If emotional abuse is covered
by that legislation, there may also be a criminal component
that could involve a fine and/or possibly a short-term prison
sentence. Your provincial government offices will know if such
legislation exists in your area.
WARNING:
The contents of these FAQs are intended as general legal information
only.
If
you have a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.
January
2006 |
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