Domestic abuse
If you or someone you know has experienced domestic abuse, read our advice and learn how to get support. You can also report it to us online, by phone, or in person
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What domestic abuse is
Watch our BSL domestic abuse introduction video (YouTube)
Domestic abuse is any form of abuse which might be a crime within a relationship between partners. This can include:
- partners living together
- civil partnership
- married
- ex-partners
The abuse can happen anywhere, including at home or online. It can include:
- physical abuse
- verbal abuse
- sexual abuse
- emotional abuse
- financial abuse
Watch our BSL video about what domestic abuse is (YouTube)
To find out more, you can read:
- different forms of domestic abuse from SafeLives
- information about the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act (2018) from Women’s Aid Scotland
Examples of domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can include:
- threats of violence
- name calling
- controlling what you do, where you go, and who you speak to
- threats to your children
- accusing you of cheating
- threats to tell people about your sexuality
- threats to share your intimate images
- hitting, kicking, punching, or throwing objects
- forcing you into sexual acts
How domestic abuse affects children
Abusers sometimes involve children in their abuse. In general, children are more aware of domestic abuse than adults realise.
Learn more about how domestic abuse can affect children and their growth on the NSPCC website.
Watch our BSL video on how domestic abuse affects children (YouTube)
Our approach to domestic abuse
You can learn how we define domestic abuse in our Joint Protocol with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (PDF, 375 KB).
How to report domestic abuse
If you have experienced domestic abuse or you’re worried about someone, please report it to us.
If you suspect someone is in danger now, call 999. If it's not an emergency, here how to report a crime to us.
Watch our BSL video on how to report domestic abuse (YouTube)
What to expect if you make a report
Any report you make will be a priority for us.
If you make a report, we’ll treat you in a fair, sensitive, and respectful way.
We will:
- make sure you’re safe
- gather all evidence and investigate all incidents fully
- work hard to find domestic abusers so they can be punished
- connect you with support you need
Watch our BSL video about what we'll do if someone reports domestic abuse (YouTube)
Check someone's history of abuse
In Scotland, you have the right to ask the police if someone has abused in the past. You can ask about your own partner, or you can ask for someone else.
If the information could help protect someone from domestic abuse, we’ll share it with that person.
This process is called the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS).
What to do if you experience domestic abuse
Watch our BSL video on what to do if you're experiencing domestic abuse (YouTube)
If you plan to stay in the relationship
If the abuse continues, you can leave for a safe place. It’s safer to leave your home if you have a plan.
If it’s safe to, you can:
- plan escape routes from every room and practice the escape
- know where window and door keys are
- plan where to go in an emergency and how you’ll get there
- teach children about when it’s safe to call for help
- make sure they know how to make a call
- write down what happened and when to help you remember if you report it
If things get dangerous, you can:
- leave when it’s safe and if you have any children, take them with you
- avoid places with potential weapons
If you plan to leave the relationship
If you plan to leave an abusive relationship, there are steps you can take to make the process safer.
Before you leave the relationship, you can:
- write down what happened and when to help you remember if you report it
- plan your escape carefully (a planned escape is always safest)
- give yourself plenty of time to pack and make a safe exit
- leave at a safe time (for example, leave when the abuser is at work or an appointment)
- talk to a solicitor about things like money.
After you leave, you might want to:
- secure your home (for example, change locks and install an alarm or camera)
- turn off location tracking on phones, devices, and apps
- follow Refuge’s tech safety advice to secure any smart devices you have
- add 141 before any phone number to hide your number from the person you’re calling
- get a new phone and only use your old one to contact your ex-partner
- talk to your children's school about what’s happening
- avoid meeting your ex-partner if you can, or meet in a public place
- ask family and friends to pick up children from your ex-partner
- ask a solicitor about legal protection: learn about your options on the Scottish Government website
Tell people you trust
If you can, it might help to tell someone what’s happening. You can ask them to call the police if they get worried.
It might be useful to create code words that you and your children can share if you need help. You can:
- share your location when you say the code
- give the same code to everyone to keep things simple
Save useful contacts
It can help to save useful numbers on yours and your children’s phones.
If you ever need to speak to us, remember that calls to 999 or 101 are free, and 112 (European emergency services) will also connect you to
Other useful contacts include:
- advocacy workers
- social workers
- doctors
- schools
- Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline (call them on 0800 027 1234, or you can fill out their contact form)
If you’ve migrated from a different country
If you're a woman who has arrived in Scotland as a migrant or refugee, you could be at more risk of abuse.
When you arrive in Scotland, you’re protected by the same domestic abuse laws as anyone else who lives here. You have the right to ask the police for help.
Watch our YouTube video with Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid to learn about support for women who migrate to Scotland.
You can watch this video with subtitles in different languages:
If you think someone has experienced honour-based abuse or forced marriage, read our advice to learn:
- what these phrases really mean
- the support you can get in Scotland
- how to report it
Get support from other organisations
You can also get support from other organisations:
- Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline offers support for anyone experiencing abuse, and their friends, family, and support workers (phone: 0800 027 1234)
- SafeLives offers domestic abuse information, support, and survivors' stories
- Scottish Women's Aid offers 24/7 support for women and children affected by domestic abuse, forced marriage, or sexual crime (phone: 0800 027 1234)
- Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS) has support and a helpline for men who experience domestic abuse (phone 03300 949 395)
- Men's Advice Line supports men who have experienced domestic abuse (phone: 0808 801 0327)
- Rape Crisis Scotland has support for people who experience sexual violence (phone: 08088 010302, email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk)
- LGBT Youth Scotland supports LGBTQ+ people aged 13 to 25
- Samaritans is a safe place for you to talk about whatever is affecting you (phone: 116 123 24)
- Supportline has anonymous support for anyone who needs it (phone: 01708 765200)
- Victim Support Scotland gives support and information to anyone affected by crime or has to go to court (phone: 0800 160 1985)
You can get support for legal and court proceedings:
- Scottish Women’s Rights Centre provides free legal advice, representation, and advocacy (phone: 08088 010 789)
- ASSIST (Advocacy, Support, Safety, Information Services Together) supports people who have experienced domestic abuse when the case goes to court (phone: 0141 276 7710)
Give us feedback
We want to listen and get things right.
If you've reported domestic abuse to us, you can give us feedback.
The feedback is anonymous and helps us to understand how we can improve our response and service.