Intimate images resources
Last updated on May 2, 2024
If you, or someone you know, has had their intimate images shared without their consent, there are supports and resources available.
If you are in immediate danger
Call 911 or your local police. If you would like police assistance and are not in immediate danger, please call your local police or RCMP non-emergency number.
Get support
Contact the Intimate Images Protection Service. You do not need to make a police report or a Civil Resolution Tribunal application to get support from our office. We can talk through your options and refer you to other services as needed.
VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca. VictimLinkBC provides information and referral services to all survivors of crime and immediate crisis support to survivors of family and sexualized violence.
To make a claim with the Civil Resolution Tribunal
Contact the Civil Resolution Tribunal directly.
To report sexualized violence as a potential crime
Make a report to police. When speaking with police, you can bring an advocate with you, such as a trusted adult, counsellor, or someone with experience in gender-based violence.
Talk to a trusted friend or guardian
Consider talking with someone you trust - a friend, an adult you trust, or the Intimate Images Protection Service. Reaching out is the first step, and it is never easy. But you are not alone.
Resources
Mental health resources & support
Crisis Support
- VictimLinkBC - A toll-free, confidential multilingual service available across BC and Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.
- Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre - Gender-based violence crisis and information line that provides immediate emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society - An Indigenous-specific gender-based violence crisis line that provides province-wide support 24/7.
Support Programs
- The Victim Services & Violence Against Women Program Directory provides contact information for service providers across British Columbia that assist victims of crime and women and children impacted by violence.
Reporting options
Reporting to police
- Call 911 to report an emergency or if you are in immediate danger.
- If you would like police assistance and are not in immediate danger, you can call your local police or RCMP non-emergency line.
- You can report a crime in person, over the telephone, and in some communities online. See How to Report a Crime for more information.
Reporting to schools
- Send a message to your school or school district’s safe school coordinator. You can report anonymously or include your name through the ERASE Report it Tool.
Requesting image removal
Reporting to social media
- Links to reporting processes for major chatting apps, dating sites, and gaming, social media, and other sites.
- Links to reporting processes for major social media and online platform.
Reporting to adult sites
- Links to reporting processes for major chatting apps, dating sites, and gaming, social media, and other sites.
- Links to reporting processes for several major adult sites.
Other resources for getting images removed
- A step-by-step guide for what to do if your intimate images are shared (or threatened) without your consent.
- Cybertip.ca is Canada's tip line for reporting the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children
- Project Arachnid is an automated web crawler and platform that detects child sexual abuse materials and sends removal notices to electronic service providers.
- A resource from the BC Society of Transition Houses that includes B.C. specific resources for getting your images removed.
- Revenge Porn Helpline is a UK resource that provides advice on self-reporting content online.
- Stop NCII provides advice on self-reporting content online and links to platform specific reporting pages.
- List of non-profits and victim advocates around the world that can help with non-consensual disclosure of intimate images.
Legal resources
Legal information
- LEAF's Technology Facilitated Violence Project is an academic project that discusses alternative legal responses to technology-facilitated violence.
- BCcampus recorded webinar explaining the role of the law in responding to technology-facilitated sexual violence and focuses on student rights and includes explanations of legal terms.
Legal support
- Legal Aid BC is a provincial Crown Corporation that provides services to help British Columbians resolve their legal problems.
Online safety
Technology-facilitated sexual violence
- Information on online safety and advice for parents/guardians
- List of tech-safety resources.
- YWCA Canada guide on sexual image-based abuse, including information on your rights and resources.
- The Exploitation Education Institute provides downloadable educational materials and videos.
- Chayn is a global non-profit that provides free online resources and services for survivors of abuse.
Digital security and literacy
- The Safety Net Project provides educational resources for survivors and professionals to enhance understanding of tech abuse.
- Explanation of cybersecurity options and how to employ them.
- A collection of tools to help IPV survivors and professionals address technology-related issues: CETA | Resources (cornell.edu)
- Technology Safety Project - a collection of resources and information from the BC Society of Transition Houses on technology-facilitated violence.
- Information on digital media literacy.
Education and training
Supporting others
- Toolkit for guardians and professionals to support teens experiencing digital dating violence
- Resources on digital literacy and internet safety.
- Resources for teachers on digital media literacy.
- Establishing Safe, Caring & Respectful Digital Communities, are virtual sessions tailored for families as well as youth ages 10+. Sessions are offered throughout the year. ​
General information
- Resources on sexual exploitation
Resources for children and youth
Safer online relationships
- Resources for teens on sexual exploitation and online relationships.
- Facts on intimate image sharing among youth and advice for teens.
Supports for non-consensual disclosure of intimate images and sexual exploitation
- Canadian Centre for Child Protection - services and programs to prevent the victimization of children and support those who have experienced violence.
- Information and resources for teens impacted by the spread of sexual pictures or videos Need Help Now.
- Cybertip.ca is Canada's tip line for reporting the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children
- Project Arachnid is an automated web crawler and platform that detects child sexual abuse materials and sends removal notices to electronic service providers.
- Take It Down - a free service that can help remove or stop the sharing of intimate images if you were under age 18 when images were taken
- PLEA Children of the Street - information and advice on how to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation of youth
Crisis and wellness
- erase - a resource page to help you understand what options there are for help.
- Kids Help Phone 24/7 mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French.
- Child Helpline International is a resource to help you find your local child helpline (includes international helplines).
- Youth in BC is a free online crisis, suicide prevention, and emotional support service for youth under 25 in BC and the Yukon.
- Youthspace.ca is a free online crisis and emotional support chat service for youth under 30 across Canada.
- Foundry - a province-wide network of integrated health and wellness services for youth ages 12-24 that provides mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer supports, and social services.
Resources for parents and guardians
Supporting your child
- Resources for caregivers supporting survivors.
- Resources for discussing cyberbullying and NCDII with your teens.
- Information on sextortion for guardians and educators.
- Introductory resources on child sexual abuse for parents/guardians.
- Information and advice on how to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation of youth.
- Establishing Safe, Caring & Respectful Digital Communities, are virtual sessions tailored for families as well as youth ages 10+. Sessions are offered throughout the year. ​
General information
- Canadian Centre for Child Protection - services and programs to prevent the victimization of children, support those who have experienced violence, and education and support for caregivers.
- ProtectKidsOnline.ca - resources to assist parents/guardians in protecting children on the internet.
- The White Hatter - programs and workshops for parents and caregivers.
- The White Hatter - resource for guardians to help their kids be safer on the internet.
- MediaSmarts guides on digital media literacy for parents and guardians.
- Raising Digitally Responsible Youth - information on social media platforms and games being used by children.