Domestic abuse law 'could change Scotland'

SamsReturn

A bill to criminalise psychological domestic abuse is expected to be passed later, with some campaigners saying it "could change Scotland forever".
The Domestic Abuse bill, which has wide backing, creates a specific offence of "abusive behaviour in relation to a partner or ex-partner".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42890990
Not just women, there are abused men, but the numbers much smaller.
When i did voluntary work for VS, i spent a couple of days training with Womens Aid. We were told there that abuse almost always started with men being over protective, so he could cut off his wifes family & friends from her life, so she didn't have anywhere to run to.
If this Bill goes through, i'm sure there'll be a lot of happy women out there.

Mrs_Arcanum

SamsReturn wrote: »

A bill to criminalise psychological domestic abuse is expected to be passed later, with some campaigners saying it "could change Scotland forever".
The Domestic Abuse bill, which has wide backing, creates a specific offence of "abusive behaviour in relation to a partner or ex-partner".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42890990
Not just women, there are abused men, but the numbers much smaller.
When i did voluntary work for VS, i spent a couple of days training with Womens Aid. We were told there that abuse almost always started with men being over protective, so he could cut off his wifes family & friends from her life, so she didn't have anywhere to run to.
If this Bill goes through, i'm sure there'll be a lot of happy women out there.

Hopefully some happy men too.

Mrs_Arcanum

The bill addresses, sustained and repeated emotional abuse specifically. Regardless of who is on the end of the abuse.

Definitely not the scenarios you outline. Based on your username, are you afraid of being called out for constantly belittling and denigrating your partner, with this law being a step in the right direction to stopping you?

Johno100

Interesting there is a word for women when they do it but not for men, that word is Henpecking.

Mrs_Arcanum

Johno100 wrote: »

Interesting there is a word for women when they do it but not for men, that word is Henpecking.

At least in Scotland the 'henpecked' will have redress to the law.

ado

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

At least in Scotland the 'henpecked' will have redress to the law.

Its already law in England http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/9/section/76/enacted

I've used it and have seen that it fills a gap in legislation. I was sceptical about it before dealing with a male using it but that showed me that it was useful and relevant. The guy I dealt with continually bullied his wife, controlling who she could see and living off her money as well as acting in nasty and vindictive ways around the house such as spitting in his wife's food. There would have been no way to deal with him prior to the introduction of this legislation, but all that controlling behaviour really had a negative effect on his wife's life and needed to be addressed.

Mrs_Arcanum

ado wrote: »

Its already law in England http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/9/section/76/enacted

I've used it and have seen that it fills a gap in legislation. I was sceptical about it before dealing with a male using it but that showed me that it was useful and relevant. The guy I dealt with continually bullied his wife, controlling who she could see and living off her money as well as acting in nasty and vindictive ways around the house such as spitting in his wife's food. There would have been no way to deal with him prior to the introduction of this legislation, but all that controlling behaviour really had a negative effect on his wife's life and needed to be addressed.

The Scottish version seems to go one step further and take the victim out of the court.

"In fact it is all structured in looking at the behaviour of the perpetrator and asking 'would a reasonable person think that this could be harmful?'."

thepurplepixie

ado wrote: »

Its already law in England http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/9/section/76/enacted

I've used it and have seen that it fills a gap in legislation. I was sceptical about it before dealing with a male using it but that showed me that it was useful and relevant. The guy I dealt with continually bullied his wife, controlling who she could see and living off her money as well as acting in nasty and vindictive ways around the house such as spitting in his wife's food. There would have been no way to deal with him prior to the introduction of this legislation, but all that controlling behaviour really had a negative effect on his wife's life and needed to be addressed.

Did they stay together? I can't imagine it being a very happy house.

hollydays

Intimidation
Withholding affection
Turning your children and friends against you
Being stopped from seeing friends or relatives
Constantly being insulted, including in front of others
Repeatedly being belittled
Keeping you awake/stopping you sleeping
Excessive contact, for example stalking
Using social media sites to intimidate you (such as Facebook and Twitter)

ado

thepurplepixie wrote: »

Did they stay together? I can't imagine it being a very happy house.

Yes they did. He pleaded guilty and got 3 months with his wife visiting him in prison. I can't put myself in her shoes but I realise how hard it is to leave someone when there are numerous ties between a couple from family, to emotions, shared history, finances, children, peer pressure, lack of alternative accommodation, fear of loneliness and so on.

I know my example is about a man controlling a woman but there are plenty of examples of women doing the same to men, as well as in same sex partnerships. There are also examples related to honour based violence and forced marriage, so it is a wide spread but misunderstood problem.

BarronTrump

hollydays wrote: »

Intimidation
Withholding affection
Turning your children and friends against you
Being stopped from seeing friends or relatives
Constantly being insulted, including in front of others
Repeatedly being belittled
Keeping you awake/stopping you sleeping
Excessive contact, for example stalking
Using social media sites to intimidate you (such as Facebook and Twitter)

I'm not getting much affection here baby! :rotfl:

I am constantly being insulted too!! :cool:

And belittled :cool:

Using social media sites to intimidate you

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I know how they feel!

It is pure insanity, the base assumption is the woman is perfect, beyond criticism on any grounds.

And who the "withholding affection" bit a CRIME???? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

What if you are not feeling too affectionate to someone who has embarrassed and annoyed you all evening?