Nude photos posted
Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Apr 16/01) - An Inuvik woman said she feels helpless because she can not press charges against a person for displaying nude photos of her on the town's homepage.
"Once I saw the photos I literally became sick, I was devastated," said Geri-Lyn Lafferty.
The photos were taken when she was married. Another manipulated image showed the face of Lafferty's 16-year-old sister pasted to a naked body.
Lafferty knows who posted the pictures, but RCMP in Inuvik could only trace it to an anonymous mail account.
"We compiled all the information and sent it to the special prosecutions unit in Edmonton," said Inuvik RCMP Cpl. Jeff Hurry.
"The Crown determined there was not enough information (to charge anyone) or even a law in place. We were very disappointed."
Hurry said this is the first time RCMP in the North have dealt with this issue.
"The North is coming to terms with the 21st century and people have to be aware that this kind of medium is out there and people can be hurt by what is out there."
Lafferty said friends, family and the community of Inuvik have support her, but "the thing that gets me is that nothing can be done."
"The police said, '(a person) has the right to put up any pictures (they) want, unfortunately they were naked ones of you'."
Cpl. Hurry said the incident is an awakening.
"It's certainly not unique to the North but it is something new to the North," he said. "We best get on the ball and get the legislators to do something about it ... I think it is timely and necessary."
