The Saskatchewan government is introducing legislation to allow people who have been the target of revenge porn to sue for compensation.
The Privacy Amendment Act 2017 was promised in last week’s speech from the throne. It will allow people whose intimate photos or videos have been shared publicly without their consent to sue the people who shared them.
“This bill sends a strong message that this callous, criminal behaviour has consequences, and that the government of Saskatchewan stands with the victims of this type of attack,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan in a news release.
The amendment to the privacy act will now put the onus on the person who shared the image to prove they had a reasonable basis to think they had been given consent.
Victims would not have to wait for charges to be laid before pursuing a civil lawsuit in small claims court, which is faster and less expensive than the previously-required process for Court of Queen’s Bench.
The changes to the provincial legislation are intended to support amendments made to the Criminal Code in 2015 to ensure victims have equal opportunities to pursue claims on the criminal and civil side of justice.