Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

INTIMATE IMAGES PROTECTION ACT

KSACC encouraged by new intimate image protection legislation

Jan 29, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The BC government has announced new legislation will be taking effect Monday (Jan. 29). It’s meant to help people who have had their intimate photos or videos shared online without consent.

According to a news release from the province, the goal is to help survivors navigate their legal options, get images taken down, and claim monetary compensation.

The Intimate Images Protection Act was launched through the civil resolution tribunal. Under the new legislation, the Tribunal can order a person or company to remove an intimate image from the platform it was uploaded to.

Speaking to CFJC Today, the Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre’s Agency Coordinator Alix Dolson hopes it’ll result in quicker action and justice for survivors.

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“This has been an issue as tech has evolved. It’s worsened and worsened. And I’m really glad to see the government taking action on this and providing not just additional legal pathways for survivors but also additional supports to help navigate those pathways,” says Dolson. “Because often when we see legislation introduced, it’s not accessible for folks to actually access those methods of justice seeking.”

The Intimate Images Protection Service was also launched in conjunction with the Act. This will provide survivors access to trauma-informed supports and resources, and help with applying to the Civil Resolution Tribunal.

As part of the Act, the distribution of intimate images without consent will also come with financial penalties if the images aren’t taken down after the tribunal orders them to be removed.

According to the province, individuals can be hit with fines of up to $500 per day, and websites or companies can be fined as much as $5,000 per day for not following the order to stop sharing. In the Provincial Court system, perpetrators can be ordered to pay between $5,000 and $35,000, and in the Supreme Court, that figure rises to more than $35,000.

When the tribunal orders a person, social media company or website to stop distribution and remove an intimate image from its platform, these applications can now also be made without notice and without naming a respondent.

“It’ll be interesting to see how that is actually enforced and how easily accessible the services are, what the orders end up looking like, and then how survivors are actually able to see them implemented.” adds Dolson. “That’s what we don’t know yet.”

To access more information on Tech Safety, click here to see a list of resources through the BC Society of Transition Houses.