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Domestic Abuse

  • What is Domestic Abuse?

    Domestic abuse can affect anyone. Police Scotland works to a nationally agreed definition of domestic abuse adopted by the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service.

    'Domestic Abuse is any form of physical, sexual or mental and emotional 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.

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  • Types of Domestic Abuse

    Physical Domestic Abuse includes:

    All types of assault and physical attacks like hitting (including with objects), punching, kicking and burning.

    Sexual Domestic Abuse includes:

    Forcing you to have sexual intercourse or forcing you to engage in sexual acts.

    Mental / Emotional Domestic Abuse includes:

    Threats (including threats of violence); criticism and name calling; controlling what you do, where you go and who you speak to (coercive control); threatening your children, isolating you from friends and family; accusing you of being unfaithful; threatening to 'out' your sexual orientation to family, friends or work or to reveal your HIV/AIDS status.

  • Coercive Control and the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018

    If your Partner is Controlling you it's Domestic Abuse

    Domestic Abuse Coercive and Controlling Behaviour
    Scottish Government
    Domestic Abuse Coercive and Controlling Behaviour

    The law now recognises psychological harm, as well as physical harm, as an offence. From 1st April 2019 the new Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 allows the police and courts to charge someone for a single offence of domestic abuse, covering both physical abuse and psychological abuse/controlling and coercive behaviour.

    Coercive and controlling behaviour is a pattern of conduct which undermines the victim’s independence and might include restricting mobile phone usage, controlling bank account access, dictating outfit choices, meal times or friendships.

    It can happen to anyone in an intimate relationship. You don’t need to live with your partner to experience domestic abuse.

    It’s important to talk to someone if you think you are experiencing domestic abuse. If you’re not ready to report it, you can still seek support.

    For more information on domestic abuse, how to get help and how to report it visit safer.scot.

    If your partner is controlling you it’s domestic abuse. To speak in confidence call Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234

Gender Based Violence

  • What is Gender Based Violence?

    Gender based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender. Women and girls are primarily at higher risk of violence because of their gender. Children of all genders are also subject to harm through violence. This does not exclude violence against adult men, but rather recognises that women and girls are likely to be affected disproportionately. Many men and boys are also victims of violence, and this violence remains predominantly perpetrated by men, though not exclusively so.

    Elected Members Briefing Note Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls: What about the Men? highlighting the inequality of outcomes that other men and women experience as a result of their gender, raising awareness of good practice and exploring the key role that men can play in preventing and challenging VAWG.

    Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

    Violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights. Its impact ranges from immediate to long-term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls, including death. It negatively affects women’s general well-being and prevents women from fully participating in society. Violence not only has negative consequences for women but also their families, the community and the country at large. It has tremendous costs, from greater health care and legal expenses and losses in productivity, impacting national budgets and overall development (UN Women)

  • Types of Gender Based Violence

Over 100 cases of domestic abuse take place in Shetland every year. There were 64,807 cases recorded in Scotland from 2021-22 - where gender information was recorded every 4 in 5 incidents of domestic abuse involved a female victim and a male suspected perpetrator. Domestic Abuse affects people across our community regardless of sex, race, age, religion, sexuality, income or lifestyle.

Disclosure Scotland Scheme

  • DSDAS - Right to Ask

    The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) gives people the right to ask about the background of their partner.

    It also allows concerned relatives and friends, the right to ask about someone’s partner. They can ask if they have been abusive in the past.

    DSDAS also gives Police Scotland the power to tell people that they may be at risk. This information can be given if it is not asked for.

    Where we have information that a person may be at harm of domestic abuse by their partner, we have the power to tell them.

    DSDAS allows people to make the choice on whether to remain in the relationship.

    Police Scotland and our partners can then help and support them.

    Right to Ask Leaflet

    Please use the link below to access more information:-

    Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland - Police Scotland

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP YOU.

In an emergency always call 999

Domestic Abuse: Support - mygov.scot

If you are leaving an abusive relationship it may help to take these items with you

Directory of Services

  • Local Services

    Shetland Women’s Aid
    Tel: 01595 692070
    Women’s Aid provides help to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. They may be able to offer safe and secure accommodation for you and your children.

    The Compass Centre
    Tel: 01595 747174
    The Compass Centre, formally Shetland Rape Crisis provides free and confidential information, advocacy and support for anyone in Shetland aged 13 and over affected by any form of sexual violence.

    Victim Support Shetland
    Tel: 01595 744524
    Victim Support Shetland provides victims of crime with free and confidential emotional and practical assistance and information about the criminal justice system.

    Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
    Tel: 01595 694696
    Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau provides free and confidential advice and information whatever your problem. We can represent you formally at tribunal hearings.

  • Services for Children and Young People

    Childline
    Tel: 0800 1111
    Childline is a free, private, and confidential service where you can be you. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, however you want to get in touch. They are there for you online, on the phone, anytime.

    LGBT Youth Scotland - LGBT Youth Scotland’s website provides information on identifying domestic abuse and what to do in a crisis. LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and
    community-based organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in
    Scotland.

    18U - 18U provides information and support to young people who have been abused in any way. You can visit in person in Dundee, by, phone on Facebook, text, WhatsApp, snapchat or I-Message

  • National Services

    Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
    0800 027 1234
    Free confidential 24-hour support for people who have experienced domestic abuse.

    Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline
    Tel: 08088 01 03 02
    Crisis support for anyone in Scotland affected by sexual violence at any time in their lives.

    Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland
    (RASHASH)
    Tel: 03330 066909
    RASASH provides free and confidential information, advocacy and support to anyone aged 13 or over who is affected by sexual violence.

    Scottish Women’s Aid
    Tel: 0800 027 1234
    Women’s Aid provides help to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. They may be able to offer safe and secure accommodation for you and your children.

    Scottish Legal Aid Board
    Legal Help Information Line
    Tel: 0131 226 7061
    Helps individuals on low and modest incomes gain access to the legal system. Provides help towards the costs of legal advice and representation, for those who qualify, paid for out of public funds.

    Civil Legal Aid Assistance (Highlands andIslands)
    Tel: 01463 641 770
    Employs solicitors to provide civil legal assistance direct to clients and address unmet legal need under Part V of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986.

    Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
    Tel: 08088 010 789
    Provides free legal information and advice to women who have been affected by any form of Gender Based Violence

    Respect Phoneline
    Tel: 0808 802 4040
    Will offer anyone who is worried that their own behaviour towards a partner is abusive, a chance to get support to stop and change. Can also support concerned friends and family.

  • Services for Men

    Men’s Advice Line
    Tel: 0808 801 0327
    Confidential helpline for men experiencing
    domestic violence or abuse.

    Abused Men in Scotland
    Tel: 03300 949 395
    Provides direct support to men experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland, as well as helping to improve mainstream service responses.

    SurvivorsUK
    Tel: 020 359 83898
    SurvivorsUK offer web chat services for men provided by trained professionals who are specialists in the field of male sexual violence, including childhood sexual abuse and adult rape.

    Respect Phoneline
    Tel: 0808 802 4040
    Will offer anyone who is worried that their own behaviour towards a partner is abusive, a chance to get support to stop and change. Can also support concerned friends and family.

    White Ribbon Scotland White Ribbon Scotland is a campaign to
    involve men in tackling violence against
    women.

  • LGBT Services

    LGBT SUPPORT SERVICES
    Galop
    Tel: 0800 999 5428
    Provides emotional and practical support for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse.

    LGBT Youth Scotland LGBT Youth Scotland’s website provides
    information on identifying domestic abuse and what to do in a crisis. LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for lesbian,
    gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland.