NewprovinciallegislationafterAmandaToddverdict

JANIS CLEUGH jcleugh@tricitynews.com

Five months after a BC Supreme Court judge rendered a verdict in the cyberbullying case involving Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd, the provincial government has introduced legislation to protect online users

On Monday (March 6), Attorney General Niki Sharma presented a bill that, if approved by the legislature, would safeguard people from having private photos of themselves distributed on the internet without their consent

The Intimate Images Protection Act would also allow the victim to get compensation from the person(s) who uploaded, or threatened to post

Amanda Todd’s mother,

Carol, a School District 43 educator, was in Victoria for Monday’s announcement In 2012, Amanda, 15, a Coquitlam Alternative Balanced Education (CABE) student, took her life after being sexually harassed online for four years; last October, Dutch native Aydin Coban, 44, was sentenced to 13 years in jail in a precedent-setting case for Canada

Before Amanda died, she posted a YouTube video describing her depression and anxiety as a result of her tormentor, and why she changed schools

“Having your intimate images shared without your permission is a betrayal that can have devastating impacts,” Sharma said “Victims are often too ashamed to come forward

We have openings, but not for long! Choose from our beautiful one-bedroom suites that boast spectacular Northwest or Southeast views, modern compact kitchens and luxury plank flooring

Our suites come packaged with our exclusive PARCActive Living™ program, including a well-equipped gym, fitness classes, art and cultural programs, chefprepared cuisine, an onsite Wellness Nurse, complimentary transportation and more. You’ll find comfort and freedom combined – located in the lively urban hub of HighGate in Burnaby. Act Now! These suites start at $3995 and won’t last!

Call parcliving.ca/mulberry and those who do are met with limited, complex and expensive legal options We are building a path to justice for people to regain control of their private images and hold perpetrators to account”

The Act is retroactive to the day it was announced March 6, 2023 meaning offences committed after this date will be subject to legal action

The proposed legislation will require offenders to destroy intimate images in their possession and remove them from the internet, search engines and all other forms of online communication As well, social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram and other digital platforms, would be required to taken down the images and de-index them from their search engines

According to a news release, the legislation covers:

• intimate images

• near-nude images

• videos

• livestreams

• digitally altered images

Meanwhile, Sharma said the Civil Resolution Tribunal will expand its online portal to provide details about people’s rights regarding private images, provide self-help tools and link victims with mental health assistance

Carol Todd told the news conference that her daughter’s mental health deteriorated quickly after being intimidated, exploited, cyberabused and sextorted “Sadly, we all have come to know the ending of her story”

“We are now in 2023 13 years after Amanda’s image was initially shared across the internet We can continue to see, read and hear about the increase in numbers of images and videos that get shared without permission”

“B C has now come in line with many of the other provinces with Acts such as the Intimate Image Protection Act This will make our citizens feel safe in knowing that they are supported and will have the protections in place for them in removing intimate images and videos from the internet so they can feel safe from a trial and from being further victimized and further retraumatized”

B U S I N E S S