Domestic Abuse Support

Remember – if you or family members are in immediate danger, call 999.

Your home should be a place of safety and security, but for many people experiencing domestic abuse it can be a place of stress and even fear.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is an incident or the ongoing occurrence of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and/or violent behaviour, including sexual violence. In the majority of cases, it is committed by a partner or ex-partner, but it can also be committed by a family member or carer.

It’s important to remember that domestic abuse is not your fault.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to:

• Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
• Psychological and/or emotional abuse
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Financial or economic abuse
• Harassment and stalking
• Online or digital abuse

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, you have choices.

You can:

• Report the abuse to the police
• Leave your home or get the person who is harming you to leave (in some cases, you may want to have the police or someone with you when getting them to leave)
• Talk about your options with someone from a support organisation (services are available for female and male victims)

Remember, no-one has a right to harm you physically, emotionally or financially.

As a victim of crime, you have rights and support. The Victims’ Code for Scotland sets out these rights and who you can contact for help and advice.

Here’s more information and support on domestic abuse:

Scottish Women’s Aid
Victim Support Scotland
Victim Information and Advice
www.childline.org.uk
Scottish Government – Forced Marriage
Rape Crisis Scotland
Men’s Advice Line