What is technology-facilitated sexual violence?

Sexual violence, exploitation, or harassment that happens using digital technologies (e.g. phones, websites, chatrooms). 

What are some examples?

Sextortion

When someone threatens to share a sexual photo or video of you unless you do something for them, like give them money, send more pics, meet them in person. 

Watch this video by Thron to learn more.

Online sexual harassment:

  • Repeatedly asking to hookup.
  • Spreading sexual lies.
  • Sharing sexual truths online about someone.
  • Making threats or “jokes” about sexually assaulting someone.
  • Threatening to or outing someone’s gender and/or sexual orientation. 

Cyberflashing

Sending someone a nude or hookup text without their consent.

Is technology facilitated sexualized violence illegal?

YES! And you should get help. 

Sending nudes

Is it my fault there are online nudes or videos of me?

No! It’s not your fault if someone shares your pic or video without your permission. No one deserves to have their trust and privacy violated. 

Can people under 18 send and receive nudes and sext?

Yes, but only to people who are close to their age and all people involved are consenting. 

Can you share nudes of others?

No! Never. No matter what your age, it is illegal to share a nude pic or video of someone else without their consent! 

How do I remove online nude images of me or a friend?

Check out:

https://needhelpnow.ca/en/

https://www.cybertip.ca/en/ 

Before you send a nude, consider:

  • Are you being pressured to send or are you doing it because you want to? 
  • Does the other person have a plan to keep it private? 
  • Could you avoid sharing your face or other identifying marks/info in the pic just in case it is shared without your consent?