April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and it is also an important time to talk about image based abuse, coercion, and online exploitation. One growing concern is the use of intimate images to pressure, control, or extort others.
If someone is threatening to share an intimate image or video of you, it’s important to know that you are not alone and that there are steps you can take right away.
What this can look like
Sometimes, a person may threaten to post or share a private image unless they receive money, additional images, or another form of compliance. In other cases, the threat may come from someone the victim knows personally, including a former partner or someone using the image as a form of control.
This kind of abuse can be overwhelming and deeply stressful. Many people experience fear, shame, or panic in the moment. What is happening is serious, and support is available.
What to do right away
If someone is threatening to share your intimate images, take these steps as soon as possible:
Stop contact with the individual
Do not continue the conversation if it is safe to stop. Ending contact can help limit further manipulation.
Save the evidence
Keep messages, usernames, emails, photos, and screenshots. Save anything that shows the threats, demands, or attempts to pressure you.
Report it
If you are in Winnipeg, you can contact the police non-emergency line at 204-986-6222. If you are a teen, you can also report it through Cybertip.ca.
Take steps to remove the content
If an image or video has already been posted online, there are tools available that may help with removal. Resources include:
A message for youth and families
For youth and parents, this issue is especially important. Sharing intimate images involving anyone under 18 can carry serious legal consequences under Canadian law, even in situations where the image was originally shared consensually. That makes education, early reporting, and support especially important for families and caregivers.
You deserve support
If someone is threatening you with the sharing of an intimate image, reach out for help. You do not have to handle it on your own.
You can report the situation to police, to Cybertip.ca, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Support may also be available through victim services and crisis lines in Winnipeg.
Watch: What you need to know
You can also watch this video from the Winnipeg Police Service for additional context on intimate image related exploitation and what victims can do. The city recently published this message as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, alongside a short video series focused on sextortion, coercive control, youth safety, and reporting options.
Phone: +1-888-973-8403
Email: info@bmbcc.ca
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