THE Scottish government is pledging to tackle a form of domestic abuse known as revenge porn in a new Bill introduced yesterday.

The new law will make it a criminal offence to publish sexually explicit videos and images of someone without their consent, an abuse mostly committed against women.

Scottish Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said the move was a “bold and unapologetic approach” to these crimes and said the Bill “sends out a strong message that domestic violence will simply not be tolerated.”

The Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill will also strengthen powers available to police, prosecutors and the courts to take action against perpetrators.

Scottish Women’s Aid chief executive Dr Marsha Scott said the threat and distribution of revenge porn is used to “humiliate and control the victim.”

She said it “is a form and tactic of domestic abuse and must be understood in the wider context of gendered abuse.”