Woman awarded $50K in B.C. intimate image case; ex shared photos without consent

A B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal ordered a man to pay $50,175 in damages to his former partner after he shared intimate images without her consent, even though he denied posting them publicly himself.

The couple exchanged intimate photos during their relationship. In 2023, the man shared the images in private messages to users on an internet forum without the woman's permission. While he denied uploading them publicly, the tribunal found that sharing them in private messages still violated the Intimate Images Protection Act's definition of "distributing."

The woman first discovered the images in December 2023 but didn't learn of her ex's involvement until April 2026. She provided evidence that at least 12 unique images circulated online, with one post reaching over 30,000 views in approximately five days. Multiple strangers contacted her through Instagram about the images.

She told the tribunal she was "living in fear and paranoia about strangers recognizing her, and about the images resurfacing and affecting her reputation in her personal life, work, and relationships." She couldn't prove the respondent shared her name or profited from the images, as she claimed, but the tribunal found that even the fact people were able to identify her from the photos "exacerbated the harm."

The respondent did not dispute that he should pay damages but argued $50,000 was excessive. He said a large award could impact his ability to continue therapy, which he described as important to staying "on track." The tribunal disagreed, reviewing comparable cases and determining $50,000 was appropriate. The payment is due within 60 days of the decision.