Bill to protect victims of sexting, revenge porn gets full support

A Wildrose MLA’s recent conversation with his 11-year-old daughter sparked new legislation protecting Albertans who have intimate images shared without their consent.

Bill 202 passed through the legislature Monday with unanimous support from all sides of the political divide.

It gives legal recourse for men, women and youth to claim monetary damages if images of them naked, or engaged in sexual activity, are distributed or published without their OK.

The private member’s bill was introduced by Bonnyville-Cold Lake Wildrose MLA Scott Cyr.

In what he admits was somewhat of an awkward talk with his preteen, Cyr recounted the conversation with his daughter when he explained that once a picture is online, there are few ways to get rid of it.

“She said to me, ‘How is this OK?’” Cyr told Postmedia.

“I said, ‘There’s not much we can do about it,’ but then I realized that doesn’t seem to be an answer I’m satisfied with.”

Bill 202 began as legislation to standardize how to deal with teenagers sharing images — an issue already addressed by most school divisions, but in different ways across the province.

However, the bill soon expanded to include Albertans of any age who find their intimate photos or videos online or passed around without their consent.

“I believe nobody wants to see victims within Alberta and the fact this is happening is distressing for everybody,” Cyr said.

“This is a social problem, and when it comes to social problems, we need to deal with them and … see that Albertans are being protected.”

Cyr said friendly amendments by the justice and education ministers helped create the strongest legislation possible.

Just before it went to vote, St. Albert NDP MLA Marie Renaud applauded Cyr for his bill, and said it will be another tool to support victims of sexual assault and bullying.

Cyr’s colleague, Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt, also stood in support. Citing a study of high schoolers, in which 20 per cent of teenagers said they had sexted a partner and 25 per cent had forwarded those images on to friends, Pitt said she is proud all parties worked together to put victims first.