Domestic Abuse legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2018 established that coercive and controlling behaviour is domestic abuse, and a crime. It also acknowledged the harm to children living in a home where abuse is taking place.
The Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill, passed in the Scottish Parliament last week, adds to safeguards already in place. In 2018-19, 88 per cent of all domestic abuse incidents recorded in Scotland occurred within a home.
Domestic abuse is the leading cause of women’s homelessness in Scotland and the Bill increases protection for people who are living with the perpetrator. It allows social landlords to end the tenancy of a perpetrator and take other steps to protect the housing of the person who has experienced abuse. A video of the debate is available here on the Scottish Parliament website.