The RCMP in B.C. are investigating after nude photos of students at a Surrey high school were shared online.
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School in Surrey, B.C. has confirmed that 12 senior students, male and female, have been suspended following allegations they shared nude photos of female classmates on social media.
“They had a Facebook group chat and they were sharing these pictures,” one student told CTV Vancouver. “These were pictures of girls in all grades.”
While the school has already taken disciplinary action, police say this could turn into a criminal investigation, depending on the ages of the victims.
“As per the criminal code, the threshold is 18 years old,” said Cpl. Bert Paquet of the Surrey RCMP. “Pictures of nudity of anyone under the age of 18 are subject to criminal investigation and, potentially, charges.”
The incident brings up memories of the case of B.C. teenager Amanda Todd.
In 2012, the Port Coquitlam teen committed suicide after a Dutch man allegedly shared inappropriate photos of her on Facebook. Her story made headlines around the world.
“I just want kids to learn that you shouldn’t be taking images of yourself and distributing them,” Todd’s mother, Carol told CTV Vancouver. “You shouldn’t be putting yourself into that kind of situation.”
In a more recent case, a 16-year-old Victoria girl convicted of producing child pornography is awaiting sentencing after she shared explicit images of her boyfriend’s underage ex-girlfriend.
Lord Tweedsmuir will hold workshops to educate parents and students about internet safety in the coming weeks.
