The Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA), passed in March 2023, gives the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) jurisdiction to resolve claims about non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Under IIPA, the CRT can issue protection orders that require an intimate image be deleted, de-indexed, and/or removed from a website or social media platform. If a person or internet platform doesn’t comply with a protection order, the CRT can order an administrative penalty. Administrative penalties are payable to government. The CRT can also award damages of up to $5,000.
The launch date for the CRT accepting these claims will be determined by the BC government. That date has not yet been announced.
We’re working hard to prepare for this expanded area of CRT jurisdiction. We’ll be reporting on our progress in a series of blog posts, which highlight aspects of our team’s hard work behind the scenes.
Solution Explorer
The Solution Explorer is the first step in the CRT process. It asks you a series of questions to help classify your dispute. It gives you free legal information, self-help tools, and options for what you can do about your dispute. If you can’t resolve your issue on your own, the Solution Explorer takes you directly to the CRT application form.
Our Solution Explorer team is hard at work building the content for this new area of jurisdiction. We’re working with a group of experts who have experience in the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and how to work appropriately and sensitively with anyone who has had their intimate image shared without their consent.
We expect to have a public “beta test” ready near the end of 2023. This is an opportunity for community advocates and the public to test the content and give us feedback before we make it publicly available.
CRT Rules
We’ll be updating our CRT Rules for these claims. We expect the draft rules will be available for public consultation and feedback later this year. Keep an eye on upcoming blog posts for an opportunity to participate.
Other Preparations
We’re developing new application forms for these claims, writing policies and procedures, and preparing everything needed behind the scenes to start taking these claims.
We’re building a team of experienced staff and tribunal members who will work on these claims. They will receive specialized training in technologically facilitated gender-based violence and trauma-informed practice.
We’re also building relationships with agencies who provide support services and who may have clients experiencing non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
We’ll post more updates as this implementation work continues over the next several months. Keep an eye on our blog and social media!