Domestic abuse is when someone commits physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse on a person they live with.

Abuse can include violence, harassment, threats, or other behaviour likely to cause the other person physical or mental injury, fear, alarm or distress. (This could include verbal comments only, or even just showing up where the abuser's presence would be threatening or distressing.)

Whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or living with someone as a bidie-in, you have the same rights of protection against abuse.

You can apply to court for specific orders to keep an abusive partner away from you or out of the house, even if they own it. You can also apply to keep an abusive partner away from your workplace, from the school your child attends, or from your new home. The police must enforce these, and some orders may be granted with the power to arrest an abusive partner who breaches them.

If you need to talk to someone about an abusive relationship you can contact the Broken Rainbow Helpline (08452 60 44 60), Scottish Women’s Aid, Scottish Domestic Abuse Hotline (0800 027 1234), Lesbian & Gay Switchboard, or your solicitor.

The Scottish Women’s Aid website, www.scottishwomensaid.co.uk, has a clear outline of your rights: Shelter Scotland also covers in detail the issue of orders to keep an abusive partner or former partner away from where you live or work, or, if you have a child, where your child goes to school.