Resources and Links
Policy and Legislation
Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018
The law now recognises psychological harm, as well as physical harm, as an offence.
This means that abusers engaging in patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour (behaviour that has taken place on two or more occasions) can now be punished by law.
Summary of how the offence works
For more information please visit safer.scot
Key Information
Violence Against Women and Girls Home
Strategies, Action Plans and Guidance
Uk Government Strategy
Tackling violence against women and girls Strategy 2021
Istanbul Convention
Disclosure Scotland Scheme
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.
Please use the link below to access more information:-
Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland - Police Scotland
Equally Safe at Work
Equally Safe at Work is an innovative employer accreditation programme developed by Close the Gap which is being piloted in seven local councils across Scotland, including Shetland Islands Council. The programme aims to support employers to improve their employment practice to advance gender equality at work, and prevent violence against women.
Equally Safe at Work supports the implementation of Equally Safe, Scotland's national strategy to eradicate violence against women and girls. The strategy, which is jointly owned by Scottish Government and COSLA, recognises that violence against women is a cause and consequence of wider gender inequality. Addressing gender inequality in the workplace is therefore a fundamental step in preventing violence against women.
About Close the Gap - "Close the Gap is Scotland’s expert policy and advocacy organisation working on women’s labour market participation. We work with policymakers, employers and employees to influence and enable action to address the causes of women’s inequality at work. More information on Close the Gap's work is available on our website."
Resources containing further information about Equally Safe at Work, types of Violence Against Women and the impact these have in the workplace, can be found below. Sources of support are also listed:
Equally Safe Accreditation Programme
Useful links
Toolkits
Speaking Out Learning Resource
Resources for children and Young People
Scottish Child Law Centre www.sclc.org.uk
Publications
Disabled women and domestic violence
Research
Scottish Gender Based Violence Research Network
European Institute for Gender Equality
Training
Scottish Women's Aid Training and Events
Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme – Training students to speak out against rape, dating violence, sexual harrassment, bullying and all forms of violent and abusive behaviour
National Domestic Abuse Adviceline - help for professionals
Scottish Women's Rights Centre
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.
