Domestic Abuse

A man has pleaded guilty to offences under the new Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act, the first conviction since the new law was introduced on 1 April 2019. William James Murdoch, 43, of Glasgow, made his guilty plea at Glasgow Sheriff Court. He was sentenced yesterday.

New legislation that criminalises psychological domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour has come into force today. An awareness campaign to increase the public’s understanding of the legal nature of domestic abuse and to encourage victims of abuse to seek help has also been launc

Caroline Gillespie reflects on the development of the law on domestic abuse as new legislation comes into force today. Today, the law on domestic abuse changes in Scotland. The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 is now in force, creating a new crime of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour

A public education campaign aims to help a new law making psychological or emotional maltreatment a form of domestic abuse in Scotland. The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 creates a new offence of “abusive behaviour in relation to a partner or ex-partner” where physical and sexual vio

A Scottish council is the first in Europe to give its employees who have suffered domestic abuse "safe leave". South Ayrshire Council's policy will give employees up to 10 days' paid leave to allow them to seek help and support.

Garry Sturrock looks at the effects Scotland's new domestic abuse legislation will have on the law. In a landmark vote in the Scottish Parliament in February 2018, the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill (which promised to offer a tougher approach to the prosecution of domestic abuse in Scotland) was pas