Staying safe

The most important thing to remember is that domestic abuse is not your fault.

If you're experiencing domestic abuse, you have choices. You can:

• report domestic abuse to the police
• leave your home or get the person who is harming you to leave
• talk about your options with someone from a support organisation (services are available for female and male victims)

Check someone's history of abuse

If you're concerned about someone being abusive, you have the right to ask the police about the background of:

• your partner
• potential partner
• someone in a relationship with someone you know (like a friend, relative or neighbour)

If checks show someone does have a record of abusive behaviour, the police will consider sharing the information with the people best placed to protect potential victims.

Find out more about checking if your partner has a history of abuse.

Your rights

As a victim of crime, you have rights. The Victims' Code for Scotland sets out these rights and who to contact for help and advice.