Each year we receive many calls from women whose intimate images have been taken or shared by men without their consent. Sometimes images are taken without a woman’s knowledge; sometimes they are taken consensually and later weaponized against the woman; and in other cases, they are obtained through force or coercion by an abusive male partner. We’ve also seen an increase in digitally altered or fake sexually explicit images (“deepfakes”) created and distributed using generative AI. Earlier this year, Global News reported on Elon Musk’s Grok AI producing more than 6,000 sexual deepfake images per hour.

This abuse is perpetrated by men whose relationships to the women range from current or former male partners, friends, roommates, acquaintances, and total strangers. Men are threatening women that they will send her intimate images to her social contacts, co-workers, or post them publicly, including on pornographic websites unless the women pay them money or provide more images. In some cases, men create fake social media profiles (sometimes impersonating the woman) and post women’s images there. These are deliberate acts that men use to terrorize, control, humiliate, and financially exploit women.

In Canada, non-consensual distribution of intimate images is a criminal offence under section 162.1 of the Criminal Code. The federal Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act came into force in 2015. If prosecuted the offence can carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. 

If you would like support in reporting to police, please call us at 604 872 8212.

However, the criminal justice system – like in other cases of crimes against women – can be trying and lengthy, and criminal proceedings do not necessarily provide the immediate removal of images or financial compensation that a woman deserves.

In British Columbia, there is another legal option for women: the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT).

British Columbia’s Intimate Images Protection Act

BC’s Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA) came into force in January 2024. It created new and accessible ways for women whose intimate images have been shared, or threatened to be shared, to seek protection and compensation.

IIPA defines an “intimate image” as an image, video, or livestream in which a person, even if not identifiable, or if their face is not shown, is “engaging in a sexual act”; “nude or nearly nude”; or has their “genital organs, anal region, or breasts exposed.” The image can also be digitally altered, including through the creation of a “deepfake.” Images can be taken in a sexual context, like a selfie or sex tape, and non-sexual contexts, like images taken while someone is changing clothes or using the bathroom.

What is the Civil Resolution Tribunal?

The CRT is an independent tribunal operating under the authority of the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act. It provides an accessible online process that is free or low cost, and is faster than traditional civil litigation.

CRT Remedies regarding Intimate Images, a woman can seek:

• An intimate image protection order: A legal “take-down” order requiring someone to delete an intimate image or stop sharing or threatening to share it. The order must be followed, and failing to comply can have legal consequences.
• Damages: Money paid to the woman to compensate her for the harm caused by the sharing or threats.
• A penalty for non-compliance: If someone does not comply with an intimate image protection order, the CRT can impose a penalty payable to the B.C. government, rather than to the woman.

The CRT encourages people to represent themselves, and if needed, they can request to be represented by someone else.

The provincial Intimate Images Protection Service provides information, emotional support and resources and can help women to apply to the Civil Resolution Tribunal. They can send Intimate Images Protection Orders to online platforms and people who have shared your image without consent.

In March 2026, the legislation increased the maximum compensation that can be sought from $5,000 to $75,000.

CRT decisions that are publicly available on the CRT website show that many self-represented women have successfully brought claims involving the non-consensual sharing or threatened sharing of intimate images – including two recent cases where women were awarded significant compensation.

In July 2026, a man was ordered to pay $20,000 after sharing videos of a woman online. He met her outside of a club and she agreed to be lifted, the video captures up her skirt, with her underwear and bottom exposed. She was identifiable and the video was shared on his social media accounts with tens of thousands of followers.

In August 2026, a man was ordered to pay $50,000 to his former girlfriend for sharing intimate images to an online community of other men.

Women considering a CRT claim for damages should be aware of the 2 year limitation period.

Generally, a civil claim in British Columbia must start within two years of the date the claim becomes “discoverable” – in other words, when the person becomes aware of the sharing or threat.

If an intimate image was taken without a woman’s knowledge or consent, the two-year period does not necessarily begin on the date the image was taken or shared. It generally begins when she finds out that the image has been shared or has been threatened to share it.

This deadline is significant. If a limitation period expires, a person may lose the ability to pursue a damages claim.

A July 2026 CRT decision (YRV v. CH) illustrates the importance of this deadline: the tribunal did not allow a woman to pursue damages because she brought the claim outside the applicable limitation period. We were also advised by the Intimate Images Protection Service that they have not seen exceptions being made to the limitation period.

The limitation period for damages should not be confused with the ability to seek an intimate image protection order. A woman can still seek an order to stop the sharing or threatened sharing of images anytime.

If you, or a woman you know might need support dealing with your image being shared without your consent, even if you previously gave consent to the image production and/or to its sharing, and now you have changed your mind, you’re welcome to call us for support, information, and advocacy.

CALL US AT 604 872 8212