Scotland · 2018
Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018
Protects: Partners and ex-partners aged 16+.
Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.
Summary
Creates the single offence of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards a partner or ex-partner. Captures psychological abuse, coercive control and economic abuse alongside physical/sexual abuse — among the most comprehensive in the world.
Key provisions
s.1 — Course of conduct
Course of abusive behaviour, defined widely to include controlling, frightening, humiliating, degrading or punishing.
s.5 — Child aggravator
Statutory aggravation where child involved in or affected by conduct — increases sentence.
What this Act affects
The specific protective court orders and decision points this Act creates or feeds — with the exact statutory section.
Single course-of-conduct offence
s.1Decision point: criminal charge covering psychological, financial and coercive abuse — feeds bail conditions and non-harassment orders.
Child aggravator
s.5Decision point: statutory aggravation increases sentence where child involved or affected.
- Interdict with power of arrest →
s.1 + Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001Conviction or course-of-conduct evidence supports an interdict with power of arrest.