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Saturday, July 12, 2025

Improving Awareness of Domestic Abuse

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New resource for professionals.

A new online resource is being made available to help support people experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse.

For professionals in the housing, social work, health, education and other sectors with an interest in the new domestic abuse legislation, the resource aims to improve understanding of coercive controlling behaviours, and where to direct people for further assistance.

The Domestic Abuse Awareness Raising Tool has been developed in partnership with stakeholders by the domestic abuse charity SafeLives, backed by ยฃ10,000 Scottish Government investment.

It forms part of a wider programme of accessible resources to improve the capacity of public service staff in Scotland to recognise and safely respond to survivors of domestic abuse.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said:

โ€œFrontline organisations provide an invaluable service for victims and are a great source of help. 

โ€œBut we know that there are numerous staff in health, social care and education who regularly come into contact with people who may be experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse.

โ€œThis new tool will be an important resource for those professionals to help them to look out for signs of abuse, including coercive controlling behaviours, and be able to provide an effective, early intervention or signpost to support which could be lifesaving.

โ€œThe ground-breaking legislation which came into force last year created a specific new offence that includes physical abuse and forms of psychological abuse.

โ€œAnd whilst we need this legislation, we also need to support Scotlandโ€™s workforce to develop a common understanding of domestic abuse that delivers a consistent and effective message for victims.โ€

Lucy McDonald from SafeLives in Scotland said:

โ€œThis tool ensures domestic abuse is everybodyโ€™s business.

โ€œWe know that victims and survivors will encounter different agencies, such as health and social care, and this tool will help professionals from those agencies have the skills and knowledge to provide support and empathy.

โ€œMany families in Scotland have been living in lockdown, and will have experienced greater challenges in getting the help they so urgently need.

โ€œTools this like should help professionals understand the dynamics of abuse and how to spot controlling behaviours, meaning we can help people become safe, sooner.โ€

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