New review process will ensure lessons are learned from each case
‘a thousand words’ commissioned by Scottish Womens Aid and Zero Tolerance. Copyright Laura Dodsworth
Legislation to help reduce the number of domestic abuse-related homicides and suicides in Scotland has been passed unanimously by Parliament.
The Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill will legally require a new robust review process following the death of a partner, ex-partner, or child where abuse is known or suspected.
The reviews, which are expected to start next spring, will mean that where there has been a death of this nature, justice, health, social care, local government and third sector agencies must work together to identify and agree any areas for change and improvement so further deaths may be prevented.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance has commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to work with partners, those with direct experience of domestic abuse and families bereaved in these circumstances, to develop national standards to support how the reviews are undertaken and the multi-agency and multi-disciplinary response to domestic homicide and suicide.
The Bill will also help to modernise the justice sector by supporting greater use of digital technology, including evidence-sharing, and efficient processes.
It will make permanent a number of temporary measures that were put in place during the COVID pandemic in 2020 which improved how the criminal justice system works. The reforms include allowing more virtual attendance at criminal courts, electronic signing and sending of documents in criminal cases, and greater use of digital evidence from crime scene to court room.
As well as benefiting victims and witnesses, these reforms will help efforts to support frontline policing – sparing officers from unduly waiting around in court buildings.
The Justice Secretary said: “Any death following domestic abuse is one too many. The new Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Model, backed by national standards, will help to ensure lessons are learned following such deaths, so that services are improved and victims are better protected.
“I hope that identifying what needs to improve will mean there are fewer deaths of this kind.
“Legislation alone is not enough, though. The real change we need to see will only happen when those who perpetrate domestic abuse – the majority of whom are men – change their actions and behaviour.
“This Bill will also provide resilience to the criminal justice sector by embedding efficiency and modernisation in procedures – making sure Scotland’s criminal justice system can meet current and future demands.
“This includes greater use of digital technology, including evidence-sharing, and efficient processes such as allowing more virtual attendance at criminal courts and electronic signing and sending of documents in criminal cases.”
Fiona Drouet, who founded the EmilyTest charity in memory of her daughter, and who chairs the Domestic Abuse Related Suicide Group under the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce, said: “The introduction of statutory reviews into domestic abuse homicides and suicides is a hugely important step.
“Like so many families, we were left to piece together the devastating circumstances that led to our daughter Emily taking her own life, all whilst in the most painful time of our lives.
“Doors closed on us, and the desperation to make sure no one else ended up in Emily’s shoes felt all-consuming – a responsibility we should never have had to carry.
“Having comprehensive reviews in place means there’s less risk of lessons being missed and future tragedies prevented. Domestic abuse-related suicides now outnumber domestic homicides, which is why giving equal priority to these deaths is so vital.
“As Chair of the Group under the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce that is informing Scotland’s suicide reviews, I see firsthand the depth of expertise partners bring to the process, and am confident in a system that puts lived experience at its heart.
“The wider provisions in the Bill to strengthen existing practices and protections are also welcome, bringing greater consistency and safety across Scotland.”
Scottish Women’s Aid CEO Dr Marsha Scott said: ““Scottish Women’s Aid warmly welcomes this legislation.
“We have been calling for a Scottish response to domestic abuse deaths for almost a decade, and this new law delivers a unique approach that was developed in an inclusive, thoughtful, and evidence-based process.
“Implementation, as always, must be resourced supported by the expertise of specialist services, but this law gives us the tools to make a difference.’’
Victim Support Scotland Head of Communications and External Affairs Carol Eden said: “Victim Support Scotland welcomes legislation in both parts of this important Bill.
“Much of what is being put into legislation reflects what has been in practice for several years now as a result of COVID. Victims and witnesses have become accustomed to and expect the level of flexibility this offers, and to not make permanent these powers would be a retrograde step.
“Equally, Victim Support Scotland is supportive of legislation to underpin a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review model to help to develop a better understanding of how domestic abuse impacts communities in Scotland.
“We have been heavily involved in these developments as an active member of the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce and associated sub-groups, with our work informed by our Support for Families Bereaved by Crime service, which provides practical and emotional support to families bereaved by murder and culpable homicide.”
POLICE Scotland: Today marks ten years the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) launched.
The scheme provides a formal way of sharing information about a partner’s abusive past, with a potential victim.
Today marks ten years the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) launched. The scheme provides a formal way of sharing information about a partner's abusive past, with a potential victim. Find out more ➡️https://t.co/OhvClqPPyT DSDAS form ➡️ https://t.co/g8fH5otJkTpic.twitter.com/fKEzfjsiP7
The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) is a way to find information about whether a person has an abusive past. This information can be used to prevent someone from experiencing domestic abuse in the future.
You can make a DSDAS application if you:
think you might be at risk of domestic abuse
are worried someone you know might be at risk of domestic abuse
We’ll only make a disclosure after we’ve considered all factors. We’ll assess the threat carefully, and we’ll decide if we need to share information to prevent a person from experiencing domestic abuse.
We may also speak to other agencies to help us make sure a disclosure is the right option.
If you’re making the application on behalf of someone else, we cannot make the disclosure to you. We can only make a disclosure to the person who is at risk to support and help protect them.
The police will act immediately if they think you or someone else needs to be protected from harm.
How to apply:
There are a few ways to apply for a domestic abuse disclosure. You can:
Victims of domestic abuse to be protected under a £53 million drive to target most dangerous offenders in England and Wales
Thousands more women and children will be better protected from domestic abuse through the direct targeting of perpetrators, the Home Secretary has announced.
Backed by a £53 million investment over the next 4 years, domestic abuse perpetrators who pose the highest risk will be forced to change their behaviour and stop their offending as more police and agencies roll out tactics shown to reduce abuse.
It will form a central part of the government’s Plan for Change and pledge to tackle the epidemic of domestic abuse, which sees the police record a domestic abuse-related crime every 30 seconds.
The Drive Project has been piloted since 2016 to address the root causes of abuse through intensive one-to-one case management for up to 12 months. This includes using protection orders to keep offenders away from victims, alongside work to address drug misuse and alcohol dependency. A dedicated independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) supports the victim in parallel, ensuring their safety and needs are prioritised at every stage.
The results have seen percentages of perpetrators using physical abuse cut by 82%, sexual abuse by 88%, stalking behaviours by 75% and jealous and controlling behaviours by 73%.
The multi-million pound investment will see up to 15 new areas going live by March 2026, with full roll-out across England and Wales to follow.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The roll out of these new programmes means the relentless pursuit of perpetrators who pose a risk to women and girls whether they operate at home or on the streets – and intervening early to prevent further harm.
“Through our mission to make our streets safer, we will take every opportunity to challenge and change dangerous behaviours, intensively monitor and manage perpetrators who pose a risk, and give victims the support they need to take back their lives.”
The Drive Partnership, a consortium of 3 organisations – Respect, SafeLives, and Social Finance – is working to end domestic abuse and protect victim-survivors. The Drive Project is their flagship intervention working with those causing harm in their relationships to prevent abusive behaviour.
Rolling out The Drive Project demonstrates that the government is committed to doing things differently, working closely with civil society and bringing experts into policy development to improve the lives of working people. Today’s announcement comes ahead of the Civil Society Summit being held on Thursday 17 July, where the Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips will join a violence against women and girls panel with Beyond Equality, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and Minister Davies-Jones.
Alongside tackling domestic abuse, the government is also funding 3 police forces to step up efforts to prevent predatory behaviour in public spaces and night time economy venues through Project Vigilant.
Currently being trialled by Thames Valley Police, alongside several other forces across the country, specially trained plain-clothed officers are patrolling nightlife hotspots to hunt down predatory behaviour, with uniformed officers then stepping in to keep the public safe.
A further £230,000 will enable specialist deployments in 3 police forces, support the trial of new tools – including sniffer dogs trained to detect drugs commonly used in spiking – and help to gather evidence on how the approach works in different settings.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips said: “Through bold initiatives like the Drive Project and Project Vigilant, we’re going after perpetrators wherever they pose a threat.
“We are shifting the focus onto those who cause harm, challenging dangerous behaviours and making it clear that the responsibility for ending abuse lies with perpetrators, not those who suffer from it.
Through our mission to make our streets safer, every penny we invest in holding perpetrators to account is a step towards a better and safer future for every victim.”
The Drive Project will be delivered in partnership with police and crime commissioners, police forces, domestic abuse services and the Drive Partnership, and supported by national training and resources.
Case managers work closely with high-risk perpetrators for up to 12 months, building their capacity to manage emotions and relationships differently, removing opportunities for abuse through close monitoring and disruption tactics and ensuring dedicated support for victims.
Interventions are tailored to each perpetrator’s risk level and pattern of abuse and can include:
disruption tactics such as police intervention and the use of protection orders
engagement with social services to safeguard families and children
alternative accommodation to prevent perpetrators from returning to victims’ homes
addressing drug and alcohol dependencies that can fuel abusive behaviour
behaviour change to address patterns of control and violence
monitoring and accountability to prevent reoffending
dedicated support for victims to help them rebuild their lives and move on
The Drive Partnership welcomes today’s Home Office announcement of a £53 million investment over four years to expand the Drive Project to increase the safety of victim-survivors of domestic abuse, in all communities, by putting the focus on the perpetrators.
This is the result of ten years of working in partnership across specialist domestic abuse services and statutory agencies, and would not be possible without the collaboration of a wide range of both statutory and non-statutory partners, and the ongoing support of a range of funders, including the National Lottery Community Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and Treebeard Trust.
The Drive Project is the Drive Partnership’s flagship intervention for high-risk, high-harm, perpetrators of domestic abuse. This investment will see local service providers working together with the Drive Partnership and across all agencies to deliver the Drive Project throughout England and Wales.
The Drive Partnership and its Board are pleased that the Government has committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade. Alongside the need for well-funded local support and recovery services for victim-survivors, targeting perpetrators to address the root causes of violence and abuse will be essential.
The Drive Project is an evidence-based service, delivered by specialist local service providers, that increases the safety of adult and child victim-survivors of domestic abuse and helps prevent future victims by targeting perpetrators and using multi-agency working to disrupt and stop abuse. It always includes dedicated support for victim-survivors and families.
The Home Office’s investment into the expansion of the Drive Project aligns with the Drive Partnership’s 2024 Call for Further Action recommendation for consistent and evidence-informed multi-agency responses to high-risk, high-harm perpetrators across all areas.
This Call for Further Action, supported by over 100 organisations, was developed with the input of the Action on Perpetrators Network, the Drive Partnership delivery and co-production partners, and SafeLives Pioneers.
It also calls for recognition across government that domestic abuse is everyone’s business. It is not solely a criminal justice issue, but requires cross-departmental investment. This is a priority that the Network will continue to pursue.
The Drive Partnership has been working to end domestic abuse and protect victim-survivors in all communities for over a decade; marking 10-years of disrupting, challenging, and changing the behaviour of those who are causing harm, using a consistently evidence-informed approach.
The Drive Partnership looks forward to expanding this work to protect victim-survivors, in close collaboration with specialist domestic abuse organisations and statutory partners, and would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved.
Shana Begum, SafeLives Pioneer & lived experience expert, said,“Perpetrator interventions are vital to breaking the cycle of domestic abuse – as a SafeLives Pioneer, I strongly believe that we have to stop asking “Why doesn’t she leave?”, and start asking “Why doesn’t he stop?”, and that is what the Drive Partnership puts into action.
“After working closely with the Drive Partnership for a number of years, I’m pleased to see this expansion across all areas in England and Wales so that the responsibility of domestic abuse is placed firmly on those causing harm.”
Kyla Kirkpatrick, Director of the Drive Partnership, said,“We welcome this investment from the Home Office into the expansion of the Drive Project across England and Wales because victim-survivors tell us that as well as more support for themselves, they want and need better responses to the people causing harm in their lives.
“They need them to be seen, held to account and stopped. The Drive Project does that and with ten years of delivery, development and evaluation behind us we know that it works.
!This work can only happen if the focus is absolutely on the safety and wellbeing of the victim-survivors. This investment will see the vast majority of funding flow directly to local domestic abuse perpetrator services and victim-survivor support services, and we will be working in partnership with local services to ensure that the Drive Project is tailored to meet the needs of local communities.
“We look forward to the forthcoming VAWG strategy to support victim-survivor services with much-needed investment and cross-departmental commitment.”
Rosie Jarvis, Deputy Director of the Drive Partnership, said, “We warmly welcome the Home Office’s investment in the expansion of the Drive Project, which we know through its evidence base has a significant impact on harm and risk reduction in perpetrators and increased safety for victim-survivors.
“This investment and expansion will be a significant step towards addressing the postcode lottery of responses to high-risk, high-harm, and serial perpetrators and breaking the costly cycle of domestic abuse.”
Jess Asato MP, said,“Too often we ask why domestic abuse victims don’t leave, instead of asking why perpetrators don’t stop their abuse – so this landmark investment by the Government is incredibly welcome.
“was proud to work on the early stages of the Drive Partnership which, through its innovative, evidence-driven approach, has proven that we can make victims safer and change perpetrator behaviour.
“This investment will be one important step towards achieving the Government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls.”
Detective Superintendent Jon Capps, Head of Rape and Sexual Offences and Project Vigilant at Thames Valley Police, said: “We welcome funding which supports vital proactive initiatives to disrupt those who behave in a predatory manner and offend against women and girls.
“Our Project Vigilant officers are specially trained to spot predatory behaviour, intervening and preventing it escalating into an offence.
“This year we have conducted 50 Vigilant deployments across the Thames Valley, all of which highlight our commitment to keep people safe, specifically in the night time economy and increasingly with large public events.
“Our aim is to take a suspect-focused approach, creating safer public spaces and building trust and confidence in our policing response.”
Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association: “We welcome today’s announcement and fully support the government’s £53 million package to target the most dangerous domestic abuse perpetrators. A perpetrator-focused approach is essential – accountability must lie with those who commit these crimes, not the women who endure them.
“We understand that predatory behaviour is a pervasive issue within society and must be addressed wherever it occurs – across communities, public spaces, and institutions. Over recent years, the industry has worked hard to drive awareness and put robust mitigations in place – through staff training, use of CCTV, awareness campaigns and strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders and policing.
“Today’s announcement – particularly the expansion of the Drive Project and Project Vigilant, as well as the introduction of specially-trained officers to address predatory behaviour – is a vital step toward tackling the root causes of abuse. It will provide greater protection for women and support operators in disrupting harmful behaviours early.
“The NTIA is committed to supporting the government’s Plan for Change and its goal to halve violence against women within a decade. We will continue working closely with government, policing, and local authorities to embed a perpetrator-focused culture of safety and accountability throughout the night time economy.”
This investment comes after the government announced a boost of nearly £20 million in support for victims of abuse, including £6 million for helplines which can offer life-saving support.
A relentless pursuit of perpetrators will form a central part of the government’s upcoming strategy on violence against women and girls, shifting the burden of safety away from victims and onto the perpetrators responsible for these devastating crimes. The strategy will also set out action to transform the system’s response to VAWG, including on prevention, early intervention, enforcement and victim support.
Services supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse should be resourced to be easy to access and able to provide joined-up and consistent access to advice and information on financial support, according to MSPs.
Holyrood’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee has today released a new report that outlines how people who leave an abusive relationship can be better protected from severe financial implications.
Some domestic abusers restrict a person’s ability to manage their finances. This can involve stopping a victim from opening a bank account, controlling how they use their income, preventing them from working or being in education, or building up debt in a victim’s name. This is known as economic abuse.
In its inquiry, the Committee heard widespread evidence about the barriers faced by victims and survivors trying to access support. Challenges included generic information, a lack of trauma-informed financial advice and “England-centric” online information.
While the Committee appreciated that the Scottish Government provides funding for advice on income maximisation and its Equally Safe strategy to address violence against women and girls, the feedback it heard made it clear that support provided by advice services was vital.
Additionally, the Committee calls for more consistent support from local authorities, asking for the Scottish Government to work with COSLA to develop a single point of contact. Without this, victims and survivors will continue to face significant challenges to accessing advice on problems relating to housing, benefits and legal advice.
The Committee’s report also asks for an update on the Scottish Government’s Fund to Leave pilot which several witnesses cited as a valuable resource when leaving an abusive relationship and before receiving a decision on eligibility for social security.
Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “The impact and cost of leaving an abusive relationship can be absolutely devastating and it is critical that victims and survivors can access advice and support quickly and easily.
“Our report calls for the Scottish Government to strengthen and standardise the support that is available to people. We heard about some excellent work that exists, but it is inconsistent and not always easy to find, which has created barriers for people in horrendously stressful situations.
“We’d like to thank everyone who shared their views with us during this inquiry, particularly the members of Scottish Women’s Aid’s Survivor Reference Group and the staff at Financially Included who spoke so powerfully.”
The Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland is calling on housing associations and local authorities to recommit their support for their domestic abuse campaign, Make a Stand, at Scotland’s Housing Festival 2025, opening today (Tuesday 4 March 2025) at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
The professional body for people who work in housing is taking the opportunity of its annual conference in Scotland to raise awareness of the housing sector’s responsibility to victims/survivors of domestic abuse.
The Make a Stand campaign was launched in 2018 to encourage social landlords to commit to making positive changes in their practice to support victims/survivors of domestic abuse.
Despite over 70 social landlords in Scotland pledging support to the campaign, we know from our own research that most social landlords do not have an appropriate domestic abuse policy. This means they are not adequately addressing the main cause of homelessness for women.
While the Housing (Scotland) Bill currently being considered by Parliament will require all social landlords to have a policy, CIH Scotland is calling for Scotland’s social landlords to get ahead of the requirement and commit to a policy and approach that will help address the housing emergency for those experiencing domestic abuse.
In his opening address to over 500 housing professionals at Scotland’s Housing Festival 2025, Callum Chomczuk, national director of CIH Scotland will call on delegates to “recommit to Make a Stand to help improve housing outcomes of women and children experiencing domestic abuse.”
CIH Scotland recently submitted to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee’s inquiry on financial considerations on leaving an abusive relationship and within that evidence, cited its 2023 report Policies not Promises which highlighted the need for a consistent approach from social landlords to how victims are supported with financial concerns.
Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland stages its annual Housing Festival to bring housing professionals together from a wide range of disciplines to gain and share learning, collaborate and build relationships.
From motivational keynotes to roundtable discussions and networking activities, the festival provides access to a packed line-up of leaders and academics from a wide variety of disciplines, all committed to supporting everyone’s right to a safe place to call home.
Raneem’s Law has launched to embed the first domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across five forces and ensure victims receive specialist support
Delivering on a UK Labour manifesto commitment, Raneem’s Law has been launched to embed the first domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across five forces to ensure that victims of domestic abuse receive more specialist support.
West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside Police are all pioneering this new approach to improve the police response to victims of domestic abuse.
This is part of the government’s mission – underpinned by their Plan for Change – to better protect victims, pursue perpetrators and halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
These domestic abuse specialists will ensure that calls for help are properly assessed, managed and responded to. Specifically, their duties can include:
providing advice to officers responding to incidents on the ground
reviewing incoming domestic abuse cases and their risk assessments
listening in to live calls and providing feedback to call handlers on victim engagement
facilitating training sessions on domestic abuse for force control room staff
ensuring victims are referred to specialist support services
using expertise and understanding to manually check over the decisions made by 999 call handlers and identifying any missed opportunities to safeguard victims
supporting the use of innovative technology such as responding to victims via videocall
The UK government will work closely with these first forces to gain insight and understanding into how this new approach is working, to inform a national roll-out across all 43 forces and new statutory guidance for Raneem’s Law as soon as possible.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Every 30 seconds, someone calls the police about domestic abuse – over 100 people every hour seeking urgent help.
“That’s why we are determined to overhaul the police emergency response to domestic abuse, making sure that victims get the specialist support and protection they need. That must be Raneem and Khaola’s legacy.
“West Midlands has been determined to learn the lessons from the way Raneem and her mother were so badly failed and it is welcome that they, Bedfordshire, Humberside, Northumbria and Northamptonshire are all pioneering this ambitious approach to deliver the best possible response to victims at the worst time of their lives.
“We need to change the future for others, where we couldn’t for Raneem, as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.”
For too long, crimes disproportionately impacting women and girls have not been met with the specialist response they require.
Domestic abuse affects more than 2 million people every year, with the police receiving a call about it every 30 seconds on average. Yet only 1 in 5 victims are estimated to report incidents to the police.
Raneem’s Law was established in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in August 2018.
There were 13 reports made to the police about concerns for Raneem’s safety, but no arrests were made. On the night she was killed, she rang 999 four times but the police did not respond in time.
To deliver a step-change in approach to tackling this appalling crime, the government will provide £2.2 million to fund the first stages of Raneem’s Law over the next financial year.
Nour Norris, lead campaigner, aunt and sister of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem, said: “Raneem called for help, and today, the system finally answered.
I can’t express enough how deeply emotional and significant this moment is. After six relentless years of campaigning for justice, I am returning to the force that failed my sister, Khaola, and my niece, Raneem.
“West Midlands Police had the chance to save them. Raneem called 999, desperate for help, but the system did not listen. It did not act. And because of that failure, we lost them.
“I refuse to point fingers or place blame. I believed in change, and I believed in people wanting that to happen. Working alongside the government and the police, especially West Midlands Police has been a journey of change. Raneem’s Law is now being implemented, and with it, a fundamental shift in how victims of domestic abuse are supported.
“Raneem deserved the help she needed, my sister, Khaola, who broke my heart because she was caught in all of this, deserved to live around her children. This is not just about saving lives; it is also about ensuring that victims who survive have the chance to truly live, free from fear and harm. They deserve safety, dignity, and a future.
“This moment proves that change only happens when we refuse to accept failure. We cannot wait for another tragedy. We must build the safeguards that should have been there all along. And while nothing will bring Khaola and Raneem back, their voices, struggles, and sacrifices have led to a law that will save lives. Their legacy will live forever.
“Because the scale of violence against women and girls is a national emergency, earlier this month we announced a new intelligence-led national policing centre for England and Wales. Backed by £13 million, the centre will bring together around 100 officers to focus on tackling crimes such as domestic abuse, stalking, rape and sexual offences and ensure that victims are protected.”
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: “Raneem’s death showed us the devastating cost of missed opportunities.
“Behind every 999 call is someone’s daughter, mother, sister or friend in fear. That’s why getting the response right the first time, every time, is absolutely crucial. Embedding specialism and expertise into 999 control rooms will ensure that when victims make that brave call for help, they get the expert response they need.
“Working alongside Nour has shown me the true meaning of courage and determination. Her fight for Raneem’s Law, to change things for victims of domestic abuse before it is too late, will save lives. We are determined to halve violence against women and girls in a decade and won’t stop until every victim, up and down the country, gets the protection they deserve.
“Under our Plan for Change, we are taking the serious action needed to drive change across the country. Launching Raneem’s Law is another part of our effort to ensure that government and law enforcement can effectively tackle these unacceptable crimes.”
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Domestic Abuse, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, said: “When a victim reports domestic abuse, they must have confidence that they will be protected from harm, which is why it’s so important that we get our response right from the moment we are called.
“Forces work hard every day to ensure victims receive the right response and support, and embedding expertise and victim advocacy at the earliest opportunity is vital.
“It’s important that we are both evidence and victim-led in our approach, and I would like to thank the victims and survivors, families and support organisations that continue to work with us to improve policing’s response to domestic abuse.”
Police Scotland and Education Scotland have come together to deliver YOU, ME, TOGETHER, a resource for secondary school pupils to make them aware of domestic abuse and the wider issue of violence against women and girls.
A video has been released on our social media channels after an event on Thursday, 28 November, 2024, when teachers at Loudoun Academy in Galston and officers provided young people with information about domestic abuse, including themes of coercive control, inappropriate relationships and peer pressure.
Teachers have a number of a resources to work with to help facilitate open and safe discussions about what can be an emotive subject for young men and women. The package includes a short film (add hyperlink to trailer) which follows a story line of coercive control between young people in a school setting and shows the warning signs to look out for.
YOU, ME, TOGETHER demonstrates that if we all work together, we can tackle domestic abuse. The emphasis being on victims, friends, family, supporters, partner agencies, professionals and police all working together.
https://youtu.be/8mY9zLh44_k
Detective Inspector Phillip Kennedy said: “This programme is aimed at young people at an age when they are starting to form relationships.
“Domestic abuse can be a problem at any age but You Me Together aims to address any issues and promote positive behaviours.
“The programme talks about healthy relationships but also about the warning signs when things are not right. It is about empowering young people, giving them advice and information, and helping them make a choice and take action when something doesn’t feel right.
“By helping to educate young people, we hope that in the longer term this will reduce the likelihood of abusive behaviour developing and reduce incidents of domestic abuse.”
Councillor Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire Council’s Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities said: “I was very pleased to join with Police Scotland and Head Teacher David Falconer for the launch of the new resource You, Me, Together at Loudoun Academy.
“East Ayrshire schools were involved in the development of the resource through the pilot project in 2022 and are proud to have had a role in shaping its development.
“I am also pleased that this took place during the 16 Days of Action campaign, which continues to be so important. It brings people together to work towards eliminating gender-based violence and encourages us all to take action to support women and girls in our communities.
“Last year, the Police recorded 1552 reported incidents of domestic abuse in East Ayrshire. There is no doubt that action is required to reduce the number of women and children affected by domestic violence, but we all understand that there is also no quick fix. Education is essential and resources like You, Me, Together take a long-term approach with the aim of encouraging positive behaviours among our young people that they will take into adulthood.”
The resource was initially piloted in 2022 in schools across Scotland reaching more than 1000 pupils, with feedback supporting the enhancement of the resource to meet the needs of students.
In 2023 all high schools in Ayrshire supported the delivery of the resource which has now been developed into a more accessible online interactive format to support national delivery to students in all areas of Scotland. It will be delivered within the existing personal and social education curriculum (PSE).
Police Scotland is committed to tackling gender-based violence and abuse, as highlighted in our prevention campaigns including the recent That Guy campaign and our support for the annual 16 Day of Activism campaign.
A key part of this work is building relationships with partners and working with them on a regular basis to highlight and make people aware of their messages too.
Police Scotland, supported by Heriot-Watt University, has created a series of British Sign Language (BSL) videos aimed at the deaf community affected by domestic abuse.
The series, comprising 13 videos, provides crucial information on domestic abuse, including how to recognise abusive behaviours and how to report them. These videos are available on the Police Scotland website, offering accessible resources for the deaf community.
Professor Jemina Napier, Chair of Intercultural Communication at Heriot-Watt University, collaborated with Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Coordination Unit (DACU) and its Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Unit to develop the project.
As a leading expert in the field of sign language interpreting and translation, Professor Napier brought extensive experience, having led significant studies such as Justisigns2 and SILENT HARM, which were among the first UK research efforts to document the unique experiences of deaf women surviving domestic abuse and communicating via interpreters.
In this latest project, Professor Napier led a mixed deaf-hearing team of experts who created a BSL glossary of 33 key terms related to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. This glossary was integral to the videos, ensuring that critical concepts were accurately conveyed in BSL.
Professor Napier explained: “The translation of the videos was made possible through generous support from the Heriot-Watt University Impact Acceleration Fund, allowing us to effectively donate the BSL-translated videos to Police Scotland.
“Collaborative research and evidence-based development of resources like these are essential to ensure that deaf individuals reporting domestic abuse have equitable access to information, services, and support. It also ensures that BSL interpreters are equipped to meet the needs of deaf BSL users in such sensitive contexts.”
Early next year, Professor Napier will begin a new project examining the impact of domestic abuse on families across the UK.
The 12-month study will involve interviews with deaf survivors of domestic abuse and practitioners, documenting the impact on children as co-victims if they get drawn into interpreting for their deaf parents in domestic abuse situations.
The new Police Scotland videos tackle some of these barriers by translating key information into BSL. Topics include questions such as “What is domestic abuse?” and “What can I do if this is happening to me?”
Detective Constable Sarah Winters, from Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Coordination Unit, has been working with Professor Napier on the development of these videos.
She said: “The opportunity to collaborate on these groundbreaking projects has been one of the most profound and humbling experiences of my career. I feel incredibly privileged to have learned directly from those with lived experience.
“Their courage and insights have not only broadened my understanding but reignited a determination to drive meaningful change. The work is far from over – this is the start of a dedicated journey to ensure that all survivors of domestic abuse have access to the resources and services they need, delivered in a way that truly supports and empowers them.
“Partnering with Professor Napier and HWU has been a truly enriching experience, showcasing the power of collaboration in achieving transformative progress.”
Domestic abuse crimes have increased 11% in Scotland according to the latest figures from Police Scotland.
Between April and September 2024 there were 20,271 reported crimes of domestic abuse, compared to 18,243 during the same period last year, an increase of 2,028 crimes according to Police Scotland’s 2024/25 Quarter 2 Performance Report.
The figures have been published as the organisation launches its latest campaign to help tackle domestic abuse.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, executive lead for major crime, public protection and local crime explains: “As our latest data shows domestic abuse continues to be a problem within our society.
“Domestic abuse is a crime that remains hidden behind closed doors, but we are committed to tackling it. The psychological harm that domestic abuse inflicts can be long lasting and wide ranging on not just victims, but also children and other family members.
“Our focus remains on sensitively and thoroughly investigating incidents reported but we also want to see a reduction in offending, which is why we are launching our latest domestic abuse campaign.”
Scottish Government figures released last month report that in 2023/24 Police Scotland recorded 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse.
Of those incidents recorded, 81% involve a male perpetrator and female victim, 15% featured a female perpetrator and male victim and 3% featured same sex couples. And where age is known, approximately 35% of all incidents reported featured a male perpetrator under the age of 35.
Assistant Chief Constable Johnson continued: “Our aim is to encourage young men who are starting out in relationships to reflect on their behaviour and recognise that if they have started to use abusive, controlling or coercive behaviour to realise that it’s wrong and to change. There is advice available from our partner, Respect, to help them change their behaviour.
“We are fully aware that women can be abusers too, however our figures year on year consistently highlight that over 80% of incidents reported to us involve a male perpetrator and so our focus remains on reducing offending by men.
“With this campaign we are looking to influence those in the younger age brackets to realise what isn’t acceptable in a healthy relationship and encourage them to change their behaviour at an early stage and therefore prevent abusive behaviours developing.”
Dr Emma Forbes, Procurator Fiscal for Domestic Abuse, said: “COPFS takes a rigorous approach to crimes of domestic abuse and we are committed to prosecuting those responsible effectively and fairly, using all of the tools at our disposal.
“Young people should feel safe, valued and excited in their relationships. Sadly, we recognise that everyone, including young people, can be victims of abusive behaviour by a partner. Domestic abuse is not just about physical violence; it includes verbal, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as coercive control and stalking.
“Controlling what clothing or makeup the victim can wear, restricting their movements, monitoring their communications and preventing them from seeing loved ones are just some of the recognised forms of domestic abuse.
“No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner, regardless of their age or gender. I would urge every victim of domestic abuse not to suffer in silence but to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we seek to secure justice.”
Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Domestic violence is abhorrent and this campaign is important as it focuses on men recognising and then changing their behaviour. This is the only way that we can see a change in society and a reduction in domestic abuse and violence.
“By showing that domestic violence is taken seriously, we can also encourage women to report crime and seek help and support. We know that it is this type of crime than can go unreported and we encourage anyone experiencing any kind of abuse, whether physical or emotional, to contact Police Scotland.
“Addressing and tackling the root causes of violence against women and girls remains fundamental to prevention which is a focus of our Equally Safe Strategy.”
Jo Todd CBE, CEO, Respect, said: “As the UK charity stopping perpetrators of domestic abuse, we’re delighted to be part of Police Scotland’s new campaign that raises awareness of abusive and controlling behaviour.
“To tackle domestic abuse, we need to address the root cause and ensure that perpetrators are stopped, held to account and given the chance to change where appropriate.
A number of cases sentenced during 2024 have seen young men given custodial sentences as a consequence of committing domestic abuse offences towards partners or ex partners:
Christian Schonenberger (aged 22) from Dundee was sentenced in November 2024 in relation to offending against a female and two charges of animal cruelty over a 12-month period. He was given an extended seven-years and six months sentence (four years six months custodial term), a 99 year non harassment order, a ten-year ban on owning or keeping animals and has been added to the sex offender register for an indefinite period.
John Allen (aged 28) from Denny was sentenced in November 2024 in relation to numerous offences against two females over the course of their relationships. He was given an extended 13-year sentence (nine-years custodial term), and indefinite non harassment order and has been added to the sex offender register for an indefinite period.
Charles Fyfe Morrison (aged 27) from Paisley was sentenced in July 2024 in relation to numerous offences against two females over the course of a four-year period. He was given a nine-year extended sentence, (seven years custodial term), a non harassment order for 15 years and has been added to the sex offender register for an indefinite period.
Robert McGovern (aged 20) from Edinburgh was sentenced in March 2024 in relation to numerous offences against six females over the course of a six-year period. He was given a 15-year extended sentence (nine years six months custodial term), a 999 year non harassment order applying to all the women and has been added to the sex offender register for an indefinite period.
