Your intimate images were shared without your consent. Now what?
- Emma Summersby
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Having your personal intimate images shared without your permission can be very upsetting and isolating, you might not know what to do. Nova Scotia has laws to help keep everyone safe online and make sure justice is done.
What is an intimate image?
Under Nova Scotia’s intimate images legislation, the legal definition of an intimate image is a photo or video that shows a person either fully nude, exposing their genitals or anal region, revealing their breast(s), or partaking in sexual activity. Beyond the content of the photo, the idea that it was to remain private, is also relevant when assessing whether a picture is intimate.
What does “shared without consent” mean?
‘Sharing’ includes publishing, advertising, selling, and sharing the image. An intimate image can be shared without consent if the picture was shared with others without your knowledge. ‘Shared without consent’ can occur when a person shares an intimate image of you knowing you did not consent to it being shown to others or sharing it without caring whether you gave permission. Just because you consented to sharing the image with one person doesn’t mean you’ve consented to sharing it with others.
What you can do if your intimate images were shared without your consent:
Contact CyberScan – CyberScan is a government group under the Nova Scotia Department of Justice. They use restorative justice practices in cases involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. They talk with both you, the owner of the photo, and the person who shared it to try to fix the problem without going to court. CyberScan can also help you find resources, understand your choices, and guide you through the court process.
Apply for a cyber-protection order – If you have had an intimate image shared without your permission, you are eligible to apply for a cyber-protection order. A cyber-protection order is part of the Intimate Images and Cyber-Protection Act, which lets you take legal action through the courts. Important: Even if you do not know who shared your intimate images without your permission, you can still apply for a cyber-protection order. The order can help you find someone who has information about the person who shared the image(s). PATH Legal can help you figure out what to do next, the steps you can take to resolve the issue, and support you in a civil case.
Cost to Apply for a Cyber-Protection Order
There is a $218.05 filing fee to apply for a cyber-protection order, plus $25.00 + HST for a law stamp from the Court Administration Office. If you can’t afford to pay, you can fill out a Waiver of Fees Application and submit it to the Court Administration Office for their review.
More information on the cyber-protection order court process, forms needed for your application, and other relevant information, can be found on the Nova Scotia Government’s website:
If you have questions or want to talk about what options are available to you, PATH is more than willing to help explain to you the avenues of redress available. To contact us, please fill out our intake form here or give us a call at 1 -888 - 237 9003.
