Offenders could face up to two years in prison and up to 10 years on the sex offenders register.
Tougher laws on online child impersonation and threatening to share private sexual images are also among the new offences that come into force on Monday.
The offences are part of the Justice, Sexual Offences and Victims of Human Trafficking Act 2022.
The legislation also extends the rules to better protect children from those who use their position of trust to exploit or abuse them.
Those responsible for young people in sports or religion will now fall within the scope of the abuse of trust offences.
Det Supt Lindsay Fisher of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) welcomed the new legislation, saying it sends a “clear message” that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
“I want to make it clear that anyone – any gender, any age – can be a victim of these crimes. However, we know from experience that the vast majority of those affected are sadly women and girls who have not felt able to come forward and report,” she said.
“Escalating violence against women and girls does not happen in a cultural vacuum.
“This legislation will go a long way to addressing the pervasive sexist attitudes and behaviours in our society that underpin violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls.”
The bill was introduced by former Justice Minister Naomi Long, who said it would make an “important contribution” to tackling abuse and violence.
Speaking at the time, the Alliance Party leader said many victims of abuse suffered “emotional trauma” and it had been a “taboo” subject for too long.
She described the legislation as “the final piece of the jigsaw”.