POLICE across Dumbarton and the Vale will benefit from new training to help officers identify controlling behaviour in relationships.

Charity SafeLives was appointed to support the introduction of new domestic abuse legislation set to come into force next year.

And the new support has been widely welcomed by West Dunbartonshire politicians representing an area with some of the worst domestic abuse statistics in the country.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The further powers for police being introduced in the new Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act will ensure that psychological abuse is treated just as severely as physical abuse. This will offer new hope for victims of domestic abuse, and it is right that psychological abuse is recognised as a criminal offence.

“I am pleased to hear that police officers will receive training from SafeLives on how to identify controlling behaviours. Our police are often the first line of defence for victims of domestic abuse so it is crucial that that they feel confident in identifying the type of behaviours that are criminal under the new act.

“This new law provides an opportunity to make life better for victims and survivors right across Scotland, and our police play a vital role in doing so.”

The training will start later this year, supported by £825,000 from the Scottish Government.

West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes added: “Domestic abuse can happen to anybody at any time, destroying the lives of too many people and families in our communities.

“The Scottish Government is determined to eradicate domestic abuse and is implementing a range of measures to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

“It’s important that police officers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to tackle domestic abuse and recognise the coercive and controlling behaviours that cause so much harm. This new funding is very welcome and will ensure police in West Dunbartonshire and across Scotland are equipped to protect victims of abusive relationships and hold those responsible to account.

“I work closely with a number of specialist support agencies based in West Dunbartonshire, including local women’s aid groups, and would encourage anybody needing advice to get in touch.”

The new legislation, due for implementation in early 2019, criminalises controlling behaviours for the first time in Scotland.

Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald, Crime and Protection, Police Scotland, told the Reporter: “While physical assaults are the most visible part of domestic abuse, survivors have told us that it can be more difficult to cope with the punishing psychological abuse.

“This new act recognises, for the first time, the harm psychological abuse causes to victims and their children and the complex way in which perpetrators seek to manipulate not only their victims but also the police response.

“Ensuring our officers and staff are equipped with a good understanding of controlling behaviours, is key to delivering this ground-breaking legislation.

“This training and the provisions within the new legislation will enable our officers to investigate and report not only the incident but also the wider circumstances of the abusive relationship.

“We look forward to working with SafeLives and other partner agencies who will support them, to deliver this training collectively.

“Domestic abuse affects every part of our society with no regard for age, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We would encourage those affected to report it to the police or seek support from our partners.”

MSP Maurice Corry, who sits on the select committee at Holyrood that brought in the Act, said: “The main thing is that Police Scotland are given very good training. It is a very difficult area to assess and I welcome maximum publicity for this law.”

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson said: “I was a board member of Rape Crisis for 11 years and also founded the Cross Party Group on Men’s Violence against Women and Girls at the Scottish Parliament, this has given me a profound understanding of the damage done by domestic abuse, physical and psychological.“The new Domestic Abuse Act sets the gold standard in such legislation by covering not only physical abuse but also psychological abuse. Victims often say that psychological abuse is at least as harmful as physical abuse if not more so. “The training which SafeLives has been appointed to provide for police officers in West Dunbartonshire, and across the country, will enhance preparations for the implementation of the Bill. It will be a crucial element in ensuring the legislation is successful in helping as many victims as possible and identifying those in need of rehabilitation. It’s vital that those who form the first contact with victims understand exactly the nature of psychological abuse and coercive control. “Domestic abuse is a big issue in West Dunbartonshire and we need to take a co-ordinated approach across all agencies involved in order to tackle it effectively which is why I am pleased that the Scottish Government is investing in this training for our police officers as well as other agencies including the Caledonian System and Scottish Women’s Aid.We need to stand by women and continue to raise awareness that violence against women and girls is unacceptable.”

Suzanne Jacobs, CEO of SafeLives, went on: “We are really delighted by the news. We now have the chance to change culture in relation to domestic abuse across the whole of Police Scotland. That’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to make life better for victims, survivors and their children all across the country.

“SafeLives research found that over 130,000 people in Scotland live with domestic abuse every year, with 68 per cent of victims who access specialist support disclosing controlling behaviour, and 56 per cent physical abuse.

“The police play a vital role in the response to domestic abuse – protecting victims and children and holding perpetrators to account. This training will allow us to work with partners ASSIST, the Caledonian System, Sacro and Scottish Borders Safer Communities team to develop common understanding and awareness across Police Scotland around the dynamics of abuse, coercive control and the tactics used by perpetrators. We’re committed to making sure Police Scotland feels and is ready for implementation of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill in 2019.

“We look forward to delivering this work in collaboration with many expert partners from across the domestic abuse sector in Scotland - reflecting the diverse experiences of survivors and families. We know that together we can improve the response and ensure more people receive the right support, at the right time to keep them safe from fear and harm.”

SafeLives is a national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse for good. It combines insight from services, survivors and statistics to support people to become safe, well and build their lives. Since 2005, SafeLives has worked with organisations across the country to transform the response to domestic abuse.