Intimate Images Protection Service
Last updated on March 20, 2024
Having your private images shared without your consent can happen quickly and have serious impacts. The Intimate Images Protection Service provides coordinated support to people in B.C. who have had their intimate images shared without their consent. Sharing someone else's images without consent is also known as non-consensual distribution of intimate images (NCDII). We can communicate with online platforms and/or perpetrators on your behalf to request the removal of images and we can help you make a claim with the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) for an order to get your image(s) taken down.
The Intimate Images Protection Service can help with:
- Providing emotional support, information, resources, and referrals to other services,
- Providing information about legal rights and options,
- Supporting victims through the CRT’s fast-track process, or criminal processes,
- Communicating Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA) orders to online platforms and/or perpetrators,
- Escalating orders and providing information about enforcement options available
If someone has an intimate image of you that you do not want them to have (but has not shared or threatened to share it), you can still contact us for support, information, and resources. The Intimate Images Protection Act is limited to situations where the image has been shared or threatened to be shared.
What to expect when you contact us
You can contact the Intimate Images Protection Service by phone or email. A member of the team will speak with you and will ask for some basic information, including information about the situation and what supports you are looking for.
Your conversations are confidential. Your information will not be shared with third parties unless you give us permission to, or in specific situations.
Support and Referrals
The Intimate Images Protection Service provides support to people who have had their intimate images shared (or threatened to be shared) without their consent and connects them with the long-term resources they need. We provide support and referrals for adults (19 years and older) and children and youth (18 years and younger).
For adults (19 years and older)
- Information on reporting options
- This can include information on making a claim with the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), pursuing criminal charges, or other reporting options
- Advice and resources to help get your image(s) taken down
- Referrals to counselling and long-term support services
For children and youth (18 years and younger)
- Referral to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) for youth 17 and younger
- C3P provides a number of services to prevent the victimization of children and support those who have experienced violence.
- Information on reporting options
- This can include information on applying to the CRT, pursuing criminal charges, or other reporting options
- Advice and resources to help get your image taken down
- Referrals to counselling and long-term support services
- Depending on your age, we may ask you to involve your guardian
- We will never contact your guardian without your permission. However, depending on your age, our support may be limited if you choose not to involve your guardian.
- We know it can be challenging to talk to your parents/guardians, and we can support you through this process. We can also directly talk to your guardian if you prefer. For resources on talking to your guardian, and information for parents/guardians, please see Resources
Support with the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) process
How the Intimate Images Protection Service provides support through the CRT process:
- Communicating with the CRT on your behalf
- Helping you fill out applications and other forms
- Connecting with the CRT for updates on your claim
- Helping you write submissions that the CRT needs to make a decision about your claim
If you already have a CRT order, the Intimate Images Protection Service can help you by:
- Providing information on your other reporting options
- This can include information on pursuing criminal charges or other reporting options
- Providing additional information on resources and referrals
- Sending your CRT order to the appropriate people, organizations or online platforms to request image deletion/removal
Requesting image removal
We can support you through the intimate image removal process. We can help you by:
- Contacting perpetrators and/or online platforms to provide them with your CRT or court order
- Helping you make a CRT claim for an administrative penalty if someone doesn't comply with the intimate image protection order
- Providing instructions and information for contacting perpetrators and/or online platforms
- Alternate referrals for supports
What the Intimate Images Protection Service cannot help with
- Accepting CRT applications. We can help you fill in an online CRT application form but we can't accept applications on behalf of the CRT. For more information and to make a claim, please visit the CRT website or contact the Intimate Images Protection Service for support on how to make an application.
- After hours support. Our hours of operation are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. If you contact us outside of those hours, we will respond as soon as possible during regular office hours. If you need to talk to someone immediately and we are not open, you can contact one of the 24/7 help lines at VictimLinkBC or Salal. If it is an emergency, call 911. For more crisis or wellness resources, see Resources.
- Legal advice. We cannot provide you with legal representation or advice. If you need legal assistance, please see Resources.
If you are unsure if we can provide the services or support you are looking for, contact us directly about your concerns by phone or email.
Contact information
The Intimate Images Protection Service is available 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. For immediate assistance outside of these hours, contact VictimLinkBC or Salal. If it is an emergency, call 911.