What is domestic abuse?

  Domestic abuse can present itself in many different ways. 

It can be physical, emotional, verbal, financial or sexual.  While types of abuse can differ considerably, one thing remains a constant:

 Domestic abuse involves a pattern of controlling or coercive behaviour designed to dominate another person (usually a partner or ex-partner) 

THE ONLY PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ABUSE IS THE ABUSER

  The questions below might help you to understand whether you are experiencing domestic abuse

Emotional  

• Do you ever feel like you are being followed or checked up on when leaving the house?
• Are you questioned about where you've been or who with?
• Are you constantly criticised or belittled?
• Does your partner ever destroy things that belong to you?

Financial 

• If your partner is in control of the family's finances, do they ever leave you short of money for things you or your children need?

Coercive 

• Has your partner / ex-partner ever threatened to hurt the children or other member of the family?
• Has your partner / ex-partner ever blamed you for the way they behave?
• Has your partner / ex-partner ever used the children to make you do something you don't want to?
• Has your partner / ex-partner ever threatened to commit suicide or self-harmed to make you do what they want?

Sexual 

• Do you ever feel forced or coerced into having sex or performing sexual acts that you are uncomfortable with?
• Does your partner ever hurt you during sex?
• Does your partner ever pressure you into having unprotected sex?

 Digital

• Does your partner ever monitor your social media profiles, share photos or videos of you without your consent or use GPS locators to know where you are?
• Does your partner ever read your emails, texts of letters?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, this indicates that you are very likely experiencing domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018

 This law holds perpetrators to account. The legislation criminalises psychological domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour and came into force on 1 April 2019.