Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour that can be controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and/or violent. This pattern of behaviour it is used to gain power and control over a person. The abuse can be physical, sexual, economic, psychological or emotional actions and includes threats of actions that can frighten, intimidate, terrorise, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone, including symbolic violence (like punching walls) or mistreating pets. The abuse can happen in the home or elsewhere (including online).

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class. Domestic abuse may also include children, other relatives, or other household members. Children and Young People are not simply witnesses to domestic abuse; the legislation includes children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.

Domestic abuse incidents are rarely isolated accidents, and they can escalate in frequency and severity, sometimes culminating in serious harm or even death.

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, there are support and services in the area. We have resources that protect everyone that is a victim of domestic abuse or other forms of Gender-based Violence, independently of you being a woman, man, or non-binary. If you would like specialised services, at the bottom of the page you will find links to these resources.

If you are in danger or it is an emergency, please call Police Scotland on 999 immediately.