Police Scotland have launched a campaign to combat domestic violence and abuse.
The Choose to Stop campaign aims to bring awareness to what domestic abuse can look like in the relationships of young people.
A series of short videos have been released on popular social media platforms by Police Scotland to raise awareness about dangerous relationships.
These videos also provide information on what to do if you find yourself in an abusive partnership, or if you feel that you are being abusive.
The Respect Phoneline is an organisation which supports people across Scotland that may be worried about their harmful or abusive behaviours.
Experts will work through a person’s situation and help them build strategies that will benefit them and their loved ones.
Police Scotland Detective Superintendent, Adam Brown, notes that domestic abuse can take many forms, including physical, verbal, sexual, psychological, or financial. It can also take place online.
He said: “At the heart of domestic abuse is where one partner wants to have power and control over the other partner.
“What starts out as a normal and fun, loving relationship can quickly sour as jealousy and anger start to emerge.
“My advice to anyone, regardless of their age, gender identity, or sexual orientation, is if you are behaving abusively, choose to stop and look to change your behaviour.
“If you don’t and your behaviour is reported to us, we will take action.”
The Respect Phoneline can be reached via their website or by calling 0808 8024040.
Police Scotland also want to highlight to potential victims what an abusive relationship can look like.
Controlling behaviours, isolation from friends and family, physical violence, and love-bombing are just some of the red flags when spotting an abusive relationship.
Brown said: “Some people will think that what is happening to them isn’t serious enough to contact police about or they are worried about what might happen.
“I would always recommend telling us. We would rather someone tell us about what’s happening to them or has happened to them than not tell us.
“And our priority will always be to ensure that you are safe from further harm.
If you have concerns about your partner, or someone you know, Police Scotland urges you to submit a request to the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS).
The scheme allows police to inform potential victims of a partner’s abusive past.
It has been 10 years since the DSDAS was first launched, and since then more than 35,500 applications have been submitted, with more than 19,500 disclosures made.
More information about DSDAS can be found at www.scotland.police.uk/dsdas.
In an emergency, dial 999.
Featured image credit: Mart Productions on Pexels
Fourth year student journalist studying Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Journalism Studies.
Words at Brig, The Daily Evergreen, Alloa Advertiser, Discovery Music Scotland, and The Mourning Paper.
