In March 2019, the Ontario Court of Appeal heard an appeal from a guilty verdict. The case involved a woman whose ex-boyfriend shared intimate images in the form of screenshots, which had been taken without the woman’s knowledge during a video chat on Skype. During their relationship, the woman and the defendant regularly engaged in video-chat, … Read more
When steps are taken, your case may be able to proceed without your name or identifiable information becoming public. Your right to privacy is important and there are steps that can be taken to ensure that your name, along with any identifiable information, is removed from the legal process. Although the Court rules require that … Read more
Although there is no civil legislation currently in place to address the non-consensual distribution of intimate images in Ontario, the Courts have begun to recognize the need for civil action through common law. Beginning in 2016, the Courts in Ontario have shown willingness to allow civil action and award damages to people who have had … Read more
“In recent years, technology has enabled predators and bullies to victimize others by releasing their nude photos or intimate videos without consent. We now understand the devastating harm that can result from these acts… Society has been scrambling to catch up to this problem and the law is beginning to respond to protect victims” (Jane … Read more
If an intimate image of you was distributed without your permission, you may be able to seek both civil and criminal remedies. When someone shares an intimate image of you without your permission, they are committing a crime. Under section 162 of the Criminal Code, anyone who publishes, posts or distributes an intimate image without … Read more
In recent years, provincial governments across Canada have passed legislation to address the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, and allow for victims to seek compensation. Since Canada added the offence of non-consensual distribution of intimate images to the Criminal Code in 2014, multiple provincial governments have passed legislation which allows for victims to seek compensation … Read more
If an intimate image of you was distributed without your permission, you are not alone. With the rise in popularity of social media and technology, the non-consensual dsitributio of intimate images has become increasingly common. A study conducted by the Civil Rights Initiative in 2017 found that one in eight people have reported being subjected … Read more