STATEMENT: Proposed amendments to Manitoba NCDII Act better protects victims and survivors of intimate image sharing

The following remarks were presented by Kalyn Danco, Associate General Counsel for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, at today’s press conference related to the announcement of proposed amendments to Manitoba’s Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act:

Good afternoon,

Thank you, Minister Wiebe, for inviting us today.

As an organization dedicated to protecting citizens from online harms, we see the devastating impacts of image-based violence every single day.

These harms are real, lasting, and profound. And they are a serious affront to the well-being, safety, and dignity of children and adults alike, as well as an enormous privacy violation.

Thousands of Manitobans have been impacted by image-based violence:

• This includes an alarming rise of sextortion threats to boys and young men;
• And ongoing threats to women and girls with what is often labelled as “revenge porn,” and now, the new frontier, which includes incredibly realistic AI-generated intimate images.

This isn't a simple problem. It’s complex and serious.

It intersects with broader issues like coercive control, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and the lack of guardrails on new technology.

The rapid evolution of online spaces makes it especially hard to address — and that means our policy responses need to adapt just as quickly.

Today’s announcement shows that Manitoba understands this reality and is prepared to take action — as it has from the beginning as the first province to introduce intimate images legislation.

As the place Manitobans come to for support, our organization has been advocating for stronger protections for victims of this form of sexual violence.

And so, we are encouraged to see the Manitoba government is listening and taking action.

The strengthening of the Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act is a critical step that will make a real difference for victims and survivors.

Together, we ensure that survivors know we are here for them and that they do not need to continue this fight alone.

We look forward to continuing work with the government to safeguard children and youth across the province.

Thank you.