Police Scotland defines domestic abuse as:
"Any form of physical, verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse which might amount to criminal conduct and which takes place within the context of a relationship. The relationship will be between partners (married, cohabiting, civil partnership or otherwise) or ex-partners. The abuse can be committed in the home or elsewhere including online"
Immediate Risk/Danger
If there is an immediate risk/danger to you or someone else always phone 999. The police will ensure that any incident reported is met with an appropriate response by police officers. The initial priority for police officers attending a domestic abuse incident is the safety and well-being of the victim, their family and any other person present.
Report the matter to the Police
Domestic abuse is not just physical abuse, it includes verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse. It is often about power and control, with abusers seeking to use complex controlling behaviours to isolate you from those who can support you.
If you report abuse to the police it will be taken seriously, you will be listened to and believed. We will work alongside other service providers to support you throughout the criminal justice process and to keep you and your families safe. Perpetrators can be held to account for the harm they have caused if we work together.
There are several ways you can report this to the police:
- Dialling 999, if someone is in immediate danger.
- Attending your local police station.
- Dialling 101.
- Use our online domestic abuse form If you are unable to go to your local office (or prefer to remain anonymous) you can submit the form directly to us.
Seek support from Victim Support and Advocacy Services
If you feel you are unable to make a report to Police for whatever reason, you can seek support and advice from victim support and advocacy services. Victim support and advocacy services are focused on reducing risk to and improving the safety of victims of domestic abuse. For more information on domestic abuse victim support and advocacy services, please visit the Police Scotland website.
The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS )
DSDAS gives those in a relationship, or those concerned for them (e.g. friends, relatives etc.), the 'Right to Ask' about an individual whom they suspect may have a history of violent or abusive behaviour towards a previous partner.
Often referred to as Clare's Law, DSDAS provides a formal process for sharing information with individuals at risk of domestic abuse due to the risk posed to them by a partner, as assessed by Police Scotland.
Police Scotland provides individuals at risk of domestic abuse the information needed to make an informed decision on whether to continue in the relationship.
For further information visit; Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland.