Prosecution urged over revenge porn

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Scottish Women's Aid has launched a campaign against those who distribute photos or videos of intimate moments when a relationship breaks down, which was backed by MSPs at Holyrood today.

SNP MSP Christine McKelvie, co-convener of Holyrood's cross-party group on men's violence against women and children, said revenge porn "is every bit as abusive as any other kind of domestic violence".

One victim has told how police repeatedly rejected her pleas to prosecute her ex, while lawyers' letters and internet experts were unable to remove the images, MSPs heard.

Ms McKelvie said: " Separation can bring out ugly and vengeful emotions, but taking those private pictures and videos and putting them on display across social networking sites requires a particularly malicious and abusive mind-set."

She added: "One of the most consistent questions that women are asked is: 'Why did you send or take those pictures?'.

"The question we really need to be asking and answering is not 'why did you do it?' but 'why does he think its okay?'

"The message is loud and clear. You did nothing wrong having private moments with a partner. They are wrong for sharing those moments with anyone else without your consent."

She called for a legal response in Scotland, citing New Jersey in the USA where revenge porn is illegal and California which is considering similar legislation.