Drive to tackle abuse stepped up

A domestic abuse awareness campaign has been running

The first national training strategy on domestic abuse has been launched in Scotland.

The details, backed by £2m funding, were outlined by Communities Minister Margaret Curran.

Strategies will be developed for nurses, teachers, housing officers, lawyers and workers who may come into contact with domestic abuse victims.

Latest police statistics show that more than 36,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in 2002.

And Scottish Women's Aid estimate that over 100,000 children live with domestic abuse.

Women and children should now be confident that help is available when they seek it Margaret Curran Communities minister

Under the plan, domestic abuse modules will eventually be incorporated into all professional courses for nurses, teachers, social workers and lawyers.

Ms Curran said: "We have taken bold steps to challenge the old fashioned notion that abuse in the home is 'just a domestic' which has to be tolerated.

"Women and children should now be confident that help is available when they seek it.

"Our ultimate aim is to eliminate domestic abuse from Scottish society, but until this becomes a reality we must ensure that the best possible support services are in place for those who are suffering."

Last year, new guidance was issued to Scotland's prosecutors aiming to increase the level of communication with the victims of domestic abuse.

It followed a review of the way the way such cases were dealt with by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.