Justice Minister Helen McEntee has pledged that new laws to tackle 'revenge porn' will be enacted by the end of the year.
Revenge porn involves posting sexually explicit material online without the consent of the person involved.
Legislation making the practice illegal has been put forward by the former Labour leader Brendan Howlin.
While the plans were approved by Cabinet in May 2019, it has still not been signed into law.
Campaigner Megan Sims has launched a petition calling for revenge porn to be made a criminal offence.New
She says that there is still "actually not much" victims can do other than report it.
Minister McEntee says she is "very conscious" of the issue, and the "huge impact" it is having on younger people in particular.
She said: "I know the huge and very damaging impact that something like this can have on someone.
"There is currently legislation in place around harassment and harmful communications - but what we're doing with this other piece of legislation... is strengthening that from the criminal aspect and the criminal side. This legislation is a priority for me.
"We've seen unfortunately situations where relationships have broken down... where images are now being shared without consent or permission."
Minister McEntee said she has committed to Deputy Howlin that the legislation will be enacted by the end of the year.
