NEARLY 12,000 disclosures regarding domestic abuse have been made since Police Scotland launched a scheme eight years ago.
The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS) has received more than 20,005 requests, including from relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbours of people perceived to be at risk.
Since it was launched on October 1 2015, 58% of requests resulted in police telling people their current partner has a violent or abusive past, a total of 11,559 disclosures.
READ MORE: Katy Loudon: Dealing with misogyny during Rutherglen by-election 'not easy'
It takes about 45 days to process an application, with the intention that people are given an opportunity to end a relationship, or make an informed choice on whether to continue with it.
DSDAS applications can be made in person at a police station, on the phone using 101, or online.
Detective Superintendent Gillian Faulds, Police Scotland’s head of domestic abuse, said: “Abusers manipulate and control their victims.
“Abuse can be gradual and it can be very difficult for victims of domestic abuse to recognise their situation and to then take action to end their relationship.
“The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland helps someone at risk of abuse consider their circumstances and make an informed choice about the future of that relationship.
“The scheme operates two pathways, the right to ask and the power to tell.
“Under the right to ask, people who think their partner may have an abusive past, or (if) their family and friends have concerns, are able to submit an application.
“Where lawful, proportionate and necessary, a disclosure can be made to the person at risk.
“Under the power to tell, professionals including the police and partner agencies can apply for a disclosure to be made where they have reason to believe a person could be at risk of domestic abuse.
“If you’re a family member, a friend, a work colleague or even a neighbour, and you think that someone you know is potentially at risk of harm from their current partner, then you can make an application.
READ MORE: Sky News: Kay Burley brands Scotland a 'region' in Douglas Ross clip
“Those at risk from domestic abuse who are told about a partner’s abusive past can then choose the course of action they wish to take, whether to end the relationship or continue it.
“Officers will always signpost those at risk to support and advice offered by our partners.
“All it takes is one person to alert us and we can help end the threat and harm caused by domestic abuse.”
Anyone who feels impacted by any of these issues can contact Scottish Women's Aid on 0800 027 1234.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here