A consultation has been launched as to whether new legislation is needed to tackle the problem of so-called "revenge porn".

Ministers are considering if a new law should be created to deal with those who post sexually-explicit pictures, usually of a former partner, online without their consent to do so.

Ministers will also look at if domestic abuse should be made a specific offence.

Nicola Sturgeon launched the consultation and pledged the Scottish Government would make the changes if the public backed them.

The SNP leader, speaking at a Scottish Women's Aid conference in Edinburgh, that the Government was holding "a far-reaching consultation today on whether the current law on domestic abuse and sexual offences should be clarified and strengthened".

Ms Sturgeon said: "Domestic abuse in law can be challenging therefore we need to ensure that our legislation commands wide support, anticipates possible pitfalls and allows us to prosecute the people who perpetrate these crimes.

"If there is a consensus on what we need to do, we will legislate in this Parliament. But if we need to do further work with stakeholders to ensure we get this absolutely right, we will do so."