British Columbia Law
BC's Intimate Images Protection Act: Your Rights and How to Get Help
<h2>What Is the Intimate Images Protection Act?</h2>
<p>In 2023, British Columbia enacted the <strong>Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA)</strong> — a law addressing the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, sometimes called "revenge porn" or image-based sexual abuse. The Act recognizes that the non-consensual sharing of intimate images causes serious, lasting harm: to mental health, to relationships, to employment, and to personal safety.</p>
<p>The Act applies to images — photos, videos, and digital recordings — that depict a person in a sexual or intimate way. It does not matter whether the image was originally taken with consent. What matters is whether the <em>sharing</em> of that image was consented to.
Many people share intimate images with a partner in a relationship of trust — and that trust is betrayed when those images are later shared without consent, whether during a breakup, as a form of harassment, or for financial gain.</p>
<h2>What the Law Covers</h2>
<p>The IIPA makes it unlawful to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Share an intimate image of another person without their consent</li>
<li>Threaten to share an intimate image — even if no image is ever actually posted</li>
<li>Retain an intimate image with the intention of sharing it without consent</li>
</ul>
<p>The threat alone is a form of harm the law recognizes. Many people are coerced, extorted, or controlled through threats to share intimate images. The IIPA gives those people legal recourse even before any image is made public.</p>
<h2>The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT): Your Main Remedy</h2>
<p>Since 2024, the <strong>BC Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)</strong> has exclusive jurisdiction to hear complaints under the IIPA. The CRT is an online tribunal — there is no physical courtroom. Applications are made, evidence is submitted, and decisions are issued entirely online or by phone.</p>
<p>The CRT can make orders to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Require the person responsible to <strong>remove or destroy</strong> the intimate images</li>
<li>Require them to <strong>stop threatening</strong> to share the images</li>
<li>Award <strong>damages of up to $5,000</strong> for the harm caused</li>
<li>Require them to pay your <strong>CRT fees and legal costs</strong> in appropriate cases</li>
<li>Make orders against <strong>online platforms</strong> where images have been posted</li>
</ul>
<p>CRT orders are legally binding and can be enforced in the same way as a court order. Ignoring a CRT order has legal consequences. <a href="https://civilresolutionbc.ca/crt-process/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn about the CRT process →</a></p>
<h2>How to Apply: The CRT Process Step by Step</h2>
<p>The CRT process under the IIPA has three stages:</p>
<h3>1. Solution Explorer</h3>
<p>Before you can file a formal dispute, the CRT asks you to use its online Solution Explorer tool. This walks you through your situation, helps you understand your options, and attempts to resolve the matter without a formal hearing. For urgent situations — for example, where images have already been posted and are spreading — the CRT can expedite proceedings.</p>
<h3>2. Negotiation and Facilitation</h3>
<p>If the Solution Explorer does not resolve the matter, a CRT facilitator will assist both parties in attempting to reach a settlement. This is a confidential process. Many matters are resolved at this stage without proceeding to a full hearing.</p>
<h3>3. Tribunal Decision</h3>
<p>If facilitation does not result in a resolution, a CRT adjudicator will review the evidence and issue a binding written decision. There is no hearing in a room; it is all handled online. The adjudicator may ask questions of both parties through the online system.</p>
<h2>Criminal Law: A Parallel Option</h2>
<p>The IIPA and the CRT process are civil remedies — they are separate from the criminal justice system. However, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images is <strong>also a criminal offence</strong> under section 162.1 of the <em>Criminal Code of Canada</em>. A criminal conviction can result in imprisonment.</p>
<p>You can pursue both the CRT civil remedy and a criminal complaint at the same time — they are independent processes. If you believe a criminal offence has occurred, you should report it to your local police or RCMP detachment.</p>
<p>In a family law context, non-consensual sharing of intimate images can also be relevant to protection orders under the <em>Family Law Act</em>, and to findings of family violence that affect parenting arrangements. If your situation involves a current or former partner, family law advice is especially important.</p>
<h2>Protecting Yourself: Practical Steps</h2>
<p>If you are in this situation, the following steps can help protect you and strengthen any CRT application:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Document everything.</strong> Screenshot the images and any communications (texts, emails, social media messages) threatening to share them — including date, time, and platform. Do this before anything is deleted.</li>
<li><strong>Report to the platform.</strong> Most major platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Pornhub, and others) have dedicated reporting processes for non-consensual intimate images. Reporting to the platform and the CRT can happen simultaneously.</li>
<li><strong>Do not pay.</strong> If someone is threatening to share images unless you pay them ("sextortion"), paying rarely stops the behaviour and may encourage further demands. Report to police.</li>
<li><strong>Get legal advice.</strong> Even though the CRT process does not require a lawyer, legal advice helps you understand all your options — civil, criminal, and family law — and how they interact.</li>
<li><strong>Contact a support organisization.</strong> The Canadian Centre for Child Protection operates <a href="https://www.cybertip.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cybertip.ca</a>, which accepts reports and can help with image removal. The BC Association of Specialisized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs can connect you with counselling and support.</li>
</ul>
<h2>If Your Situation Involves a Family Law Matter</h2>
<p>Non-consensual sharing of intimate images most commonly occurs in the context of a relationship breakdown — when a former partner uses images as a weapon. If you are also dealing with separation, divorce, child custody, or a protection order, your family lawyer needs to know about the intimate image situation. It can affect:</p>
<ul>
<li>Protection orders under the <em>Family Law Act</em></li>
<li>Findings of family violence in parenting determinations</li>
<li>The general conduct of family law proceedings</li>
<li>Your safety planning throughout the separation process</li>
</ul>
<p>Sea to Sky Law has over 35 years of experience helping BC families navigate separation and the harms that sometimes accompany it. If your situation involves intimate image abuse alongside a family law matter, contact us for a confidential intake call. We will give you a clear picture of your options and the most effective path forward.</p>
<h2>A Note on Privacy and Confidentiality</h2>
<p>The CRT has the ability to hold proceedings in private and to restrict publication of information that could identify the applicant. If privacy is a concern — and it almost always is in these cases — you can request confidentiality protections when you file your application. Legal advice can help you make that request effectively.</p>
<p><em>This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.</em></p>
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