YOU ARE NOT ALONE

West Lothian Police lead campaign targeting domestic violence

Domestic abuse will not be tolerated and victims are not alone – help is out there.

That was the message from police officers who are spearheading a scheme that will inform people who are embarking on a new relationship if their partner has previous convictions for domestic abuse.

Nearly 100 women have been protected from potential violence or mental abuse in West Lothian over the last year thanks to the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme.

In 2021, 128 applications to the scheme were made, leading to 96 disclosures, where a partner’s history of abuse was revealed.

Barry McDaid is Detective Inspector for Domestic Abuse and Divisional Rape Investigation Unit, covering West Lothian.

He welcomed the figures as a

positive step forward in protecting families from abuse.

He said:“Nearly 100 women have been given the information so they can make an informed decision about what they want to do with their relationship and keep themselves safe and their families safe.

“If someone has got a suspicion about their partner’s past, or perhaps it’s a friend or a loved one you’re concerned about and their new partner, you can apply on their behalf.

“It’s only ever going to be the potential victim that’s going to be informed, but it’s definitely a way that you can keep them safe.”

DI McDaid says abuse can often be more subtle than physical violence and is calling on everyone to look out for the signs.

He said:“It could be coercive and controlling behaviour, it could be a range of offences – stalking or sexual offences or any kind of abuse in a domestic relationship.

“There’s lots of research that shows the effects of domestic abuse on children growing up in a house where that’s happening has a long-term serious impact, so getting this kind of information is really valuable in protecting children as well as parents.”

DI McDaid added:“There are the obvious physical injuries or excuses for frequent injuries, but it might be something less obvious like stress or anxiety, depression, absence from work or missing out on social occasions, a change in personality, low self esteem or a lack of independent communication.

“So maybe they’ve not got access to their phone anymore or things are being monitored. It can be increased alcohol or drug use, damage to their property or struggling with finances because there’s financial control.

“These are things that, maybe not just family, but friends can pick up on or other people in the community, whether it’s work colleagues, anybody with concerns for somebody can pick up on these concerns and get in touch with us.

“Controlling behaviour goes hand-in-hand with domestic abuse, along with humiliation, constant shouting and putting people down, limited contact with family and friends to cause that kind of isolation where the victims are unable to reach out for help because they’re becoming isolated from their families and friends. It’s a sad, sad situation, but it happens all to frequently.”

DI McDaid said victims often might not think there is a problem, adding: “Sometimes a victim might not know themselves it’s abuse, but others can in gaslighting behaviour.

“The victims think they’re going mad, they’re made to think it’s their fault or they’re imagining the abuse is happening or made to think the abuse is imaginary,when it is very real.”

DI McDaid said police are working in partnership with agencies including Women’s Aid and the West Lothian Domestic and Sexual Assault Team (DASAT) and it is being promoted heavily on social media and online.

He said it’s easy for people to get in touch and urged anyone with concerns to do so, adding:“People can come into a police station, phone us on 101 or do an application online.

“It’s at the forefront of the domestic abuse page on the Police Scotland website, so it’s easily accessible.

“The whole thing is about getting the message out there that we should all challenge this type of behaviour, that we shouldn’t stand by and allow it to happen.

“We need to do something to help people in that position and never condone this types of behaviour and never make excuses for it.

“There is help out there. You’re not alone.”