B.C. boosts compensation for intimate-image abuse victims

Law360 Canada (March 20, 2026, 2:53 PM EDT) -- British Columbia is increasing compensation limits for people who have had their intimate images shared without their consent.

Victims can now seek as much as $75,000 in compensation through the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) with amendments to the Intimate Images Protection Act now in effect.

The previous limit for compensation was $5,000.

“Increasing the damage ceiling as high as $75,000 is a clear message that non-consensual sharing of intimate images is unacceptable in B.C. and carries serious consequences,” said Attorney General Niki Sharma. “The Intimate Images Protection Act is delivering real results for victims of sexualized violence, and this amendment is a step toward ensuring victims can get the justice they deserve.”

The Act, which came into force in 2024, helps people who have had their intimate images shared without their consent to obtain compensation without going through the courts. Under the Act, people can apply online to the CRT to have their intimate images taken down from the internet, stop further distribution and threats to distribute, and claim monetary compensation from the person, social media company or website that shared — or threatened to share — the image.

Amendments to the legislation passed in fall 2025 not only increased compensation but also removed the requirement for the tribunal to publish decisions about damages to help protect victims’ privacy, as well as clarifying what information can be included in a protection order and allowing the tribunal to change an intimate-image protection order when needed.

“Sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images of someone without their explicit consent is an act of sexual violence and abuse that carries deep harm,” said Jennifer Blatherwick, B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for gender equity. “These changes to the Act give survivors better protections and access to justice so they can regain a sense of autonomy and safety.”

According to the B.C. government, the tribunal has resolved 389 of the 486 submissions it has received since January 2024, with the remainder in progress.

People who need help navigating the justice process can reach out to the Intimate Images Protection Service, which offers emotional support, resources and help in communicating the tribunal’s orders to platforms and perpetrators.

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