Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal (Scotland) did not have the information requested.

Dear Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal (Scotland),

Please supply me information contained in your records: relating to the implementation of the new domestic abuse act that came into force on 1st April 2019.

I note the following:

The legislation has been shaped by those who have experienced domestic abuse and creates an offence with respect to a course of behaviour which is abusive towards that person's partner or ex-partner.

The new law covers not only spouses, civil partners and cohabitants but also people in intimate personal relationships who do not live together.

As well as physical abuse, it will cover other forms of psychological abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour that cannot be easily prosecuted under the existing law.

With the above in mind, that being that domestic abuse is not a one off incident, its a course of action, and in particular psychological and controlling behaviour evolves over a period of time.

Please advise the recourse in legislation for victims of a course of actions under this act where the abuse commenced before the date of implementation, but which the behaviour is continuing after the act came into force?

Thanking you in advance for your assistance in this request.

Yours faithfully,

Mr D Emms

FOI Enquiries, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal (Scotland)

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2 Attachments

Please find attached a response to your FOI request of 10 June 2019.

Regards,

FOI Enquiries

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