The Province of British Columbia has tabled legislation aimed at protecting against non-consensual disclosure of intimate images and improving access to justice for survivors of sexualized violence. The Intimate Images Protection Act had its first reading on March 6, 2023. Intimate images covered under this legislation include nude or near-nude photographs, videos, livestreams and digitally altered images and videos.
Upon passing, the Act would streamline the removal of intimate images; create a civil action process for the non-consensual sharing of intimate images; and amend the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act and the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act.
This legislation is similar to a draft statute recently adopted by the Uniform Law Conference of Canada.
The Intimate Images Protection Act received Royal Assent on March 30, 2023.