On March 30, 2023, the BC Legislature passed the Intimate Images Protection Act (Act).
The Act gives the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) jurisdiction to resolve claims about non-consensual sharing of intimate images. These claims will relate to the sharing or online distribution of nude, near-nude, or sexual photographs/videos without the consent of those in the images.
Although it has now been passed, the Act is not yet in force. It will be brought into force by regulation, at a date to be determined. Some important details about how the Act will operate will also be in regulations, which are still being developed.
Once the Act is in force, the CRT will be able to:
- Determine that intimate images were recorded or distributed without consent
- Order people to stop distributing or threatening to distribute intimate images
- Order monetary damages for harms suffered
What is the CRT doing to prepare for this new jurisdiction?
The CRT is working to make sure that we will be ready to accept claims about intimate images once the Act is in force.
The CRT will expand its online Solution Explorer to:
- Help people diagnose their legal issue
- Give information about their rights
- Provide self-help tools to try to resolve the issue on their own
- Provide information to access community and mental health supports
We will be reviewing our processes, making changes to our procedures, and ensuring that we have the required number of staff and tribunal members who are trained and well-prepared to handle these new claims.
Learn more about available supports and the Intimate Images Protection Act at Protecting your images.