Non-Consensual Intimate Images

Criminal and civil remedies when intimate images are shared without consent, including removal requests and police reports.

TL;DR

Sharing an intimate image without consent is a crime under section 162.1 of the Criminal Code. Several provinces have civil statutes that allow victims to sue for damages and obtain removal orders. Many platforms have expedited reporting channels. Support organizations can help you navigate the process.

Criminal Code section 162.1

Section 162.1 makes it an offence to publish, distribute, or make available an intimate image of a person knowing they did not consent or being reckless to whether they consented.

Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment on indictment.

Police can apply for court orders requiring platforms to remove images.

Provincial civil statutes

Many provinces have enacted civil remedies for non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, PEI, and BC. These statutes typically allow for:

Damages (general, aggravated, punitive).
Court orders requiring removal of the images.
Injunctions against further distribution.

Platform reporting

Most major platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok, X, Reddit) have dedicated reporting mechanisms for non-consensual intimate images. The StopNCII.org tool helps prevent distribution across participating platforms using hash-matching.

Support organizations

Canadian support organizations include the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, ProjectArachnid.ca (for youth), and local victim services. Provinces like Manitoba have dedicated civil-remedy programs.