The BC government has announced an increase to the amount for which victims are eligible to receive when intimate images of themselves are shared without consent.
The Intimate Images Protection Act was passed in March 2023 to help people access justice without going through lengthy or costly court processes when they have been victimized.
The act allows victims to have their intimate images taken down from the internet, stop further distribution and threats to distribute and claim monetary compensation from the person, social media company or website that shared, or threaten to share, the image.
This is achieved by going through the Civil Rights Tribunal process rather than through the courts.
Going forward, victims of intimate-image abuse will be able to receive up to $75,000. This is 14 times higher than the previous maximum penalty of $5,000.
“Increasing the damage ceiling as high as $75,000 is a clear message that non-consensual sharing of intimate images is unacceptable in BC and carries serious consequences,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General.
“The Intimate Images Protection Act is delivering real results for victims of sexualized violence and this amendment is a step toward ensuring victims can get the justice they deserve.”
In addition to raising the ceiling for damages, the BC government has made further amendments in an effort to protect those who have been victimized.
The Province removed the requirement for decisions about damages to be published to protect victims’ privacy, they clarified timelines and information needed for protection orders and lastly, they confirmed the authority of the Intimate Images Protection Service to continue collecting specific personal information needed to provide services.
This act is part of a larger scope of work the BC government calls the Safe and Supported: Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and the Safer Communities Action Plan.
“Sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images of someone without their explicit consent is an act of sexual violence and abuse that carries deep harm,” said Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity.
“Survivors of sexual violence may experience stigma that can cause intense shame and helplessness and isolation, and lead to long-term trauma. These changes to the act give survivors better protections and access to justice so they can regain a sense of autonomy and safety.”
After it was passed, the Intimate Images Protection Act came into effect in January 2024. Since that time the tribunal has resolved 389 of the 486 submissions it has received, with the remainder in progress.
In an effort to help people access and navigate the system put in place, an Intimate Images Protection Service was established to provide emotional support, resources and help communicating the tribunal’s orders to perpetrators.
