News and events

Scotland passes historic Domestic Abuse Bill

On Thursday 1 February, MSPs voted unanimously to pass the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill. This new legislation, which will expand the legal definition of domestic abuse to include controlling, coercive and manipulative behaviour, is the result of years of hard work from domestic abuse campaigners.

Legislation alone will not end domestic abuse; for that we will need a wider focus on challenging the gender inequality which allows men’s violence against women to be tolerated. However, it is only by addressing the whole spectrum of coercive control that change will happen and this bill represents a vital step forward in capturing the true nature of domestic abuse and representing women’s lived experiences with it.

You can find out more about the Domestic Abuse Bill here, or follow Scottish Women's Aid who were tweeting about the debate using #DABill.

Coverage of the bill

Scotland set to pass 'gold standard' domestic abuse law, Guardian

"A momentous day": Domestic Abuse Bill passed in Holyrood, Common Space

New Domestic Abuse law passed to help nail emotional and psychological bullies, Daily Record

Scottish Parliament passes ‘world leading’ domestic abuse law, inews

'I didn't know emotional abuse was a thing', BBC

And our guest blog for Scottish Women's Aid on how to report on the Domestic Abuse Bill, 'What journalists need to know about the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill'