The term ‘domestic abuse’ is given to describe a form of inappropriate behaviour between two individuals who are or may have been in a relationship with one another.

There is a misconception that domestic abuse involves physical harm being inflicted from one person to another. Domestic abuse can in fact take several forms including physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse being inflicted on an individual.

Abuse is legally defined as violence, harassment, threatening conduct and any other conduct giving rise to physical or mental injury, fear, alarm or distress. Conduct can include speech and mere presence in a specific location.

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 makes it a criminal offence for a person to engage in a course of behaviour which is abusive towards that person’s partner or ex-partner.

The law covers not only married couples, civil partners and cohabitants who live together but also people in intimate personal relationship who do not live together. As well as physical abuse, it covers psychological abuse and coercive control.

Domestic abuse is usually a persistent and controlling behaviour causing physical or emotional harm. Often and unfortunately, the longer domestic abuse persists, the more severe the behaviour may become over time. Irrespective of the form in which domestic abuse may present itself, it is entirely unacceptable.

More specifically, it includes behaviour which is violent threatening or intimidating and behaviour that is designed to have one or more of the following effects on the victim or would be considered by a reasonable person to be likely to have one or more of the following effects:

1. Making them dependent on or subordinate to the perpetrator
2. Isolating them from their friends, relatives or other sources of support
3. Controlling, regulating or monitoring their day to day activities
4. Depriving them of, or restricting their freedom of action
5. Frightening, humiliating, degrading or punishing them

1. Speak to a Family Law Solicitor

A Solicitor practising or specialising in Family Law will be able to assist you take swift and immediate steps to protect you and your family from abuse.

2. Consider reporting matters to Police Scotland

The police can take immediate intervention steps to protect you and your family. If you or your children are at immediate risk of harm the police should be contacted. Dial 101 if it is not an emergency and 999 in the event of an emergency.

Police advice

3. Seek support from friends and family

Speak to a support organisation:

For Men

1. Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline – 24 hour service – 0800 027 1234
2.  Abused Men in Scotland – 08088 000 024
3.  Victim Support Scotland – 0800 160 1985
4.  Rape Crisis Scotland – 0808 8010 302

For Women

1. Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline – 24 hour service – 0800 027 1234
2.  Scottish Women’s Aid – 0131 226 6606
3.  Rape Crisis Scotland – 0808 8010 302
4.  Scottish Women’s Rights Centre – 0808 8010 789