Scottish Women's Aid

17/08/2026

Not all domestic abuse involves physical violence.

Domestic abuse can include contraceptive sabotage, when an abuser deliberately interferes with a woman's ability to prevent pregnancy.

This might include:
• Hiding or throwing away contraception.
• Damaging condoms or refusing to use them after agreeing to.
• Preventing her from collecting or attending appointments for contraception.
• Monitoring medication or appointments.
• Pressuring her not to use contraception.

These behaviours are about power and control, not love or concern.

You have the right to make decisions about your own body and your future, free from fear or pressure.

💜 If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or worried about someone you know, support is available.

Scotland's Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234
Email & web chat: http://sdafmh.org.uk
Text/WhatsApp 07401 288 595

12/08/2026

Reaching £150 in fundraising helps sustain specialist advocacy and campaigning work.

Every pound raised supports efforts to improve systems and responses to domestic abuse across Scotland and drive long term change

Your challenge is helping to create real impact.

Move for women and children’s rights and safety and sign up here: https://bit.ly/4t4PM2E

11/08/2026

📣Your gift is their future.📣

For 50 years, Scottish Women’s Aid has been part of a movement driven by the belief that women and children deserve lives free from abuse.

We have challenged injustice, created safety where none existed, and changed how Scotland understands and responds to domestic abuse.

A gift in your will is one way to help that movement continue.

Through our partnership with the National Free Wills Network, you can write or update a will free of charge with your choice of solicitor.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/UHN150ZlVZQ

10/08/2026

Abuse during pregnancy can affect a mother's physical and emotional well being, increase stress, and create an unsafe environment for both mother and baby.

Research shows that 1 in 5 children have lived with an adult perpetrating domestic abuse, and 45% of children on Scotland's Child Protection Register have domestic abuse identified as a concern.

For more information on supporting somebody you know, visit:

https://www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/information-support/i-am-worried-about-someone/

07/08/2026

An abuser may exert control over his pregnant partner by preventing her from attending healthcare appointments, having appointments cancelled without her knowledge, or preventing her from speaking privately with healthcare professionals.

If your partner makes you afraid to speak honestly about your health, this can be a sign of coercive control, and support is available.

Scotland's Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234
Email & web chat: http://sdafmh.org.uk
Text/WhatsApp 07401 288 595

06/08/2026

Reproductive abuse is a form of domestic abuse and coercive control.

It's a pattern of behaviour where an abuser tries to control a woman's reproductive choices or bodily autonomy.

This can include:
• Hiding or damaging contraception.
• Refusing to use agreed contraception.
• Pressuring her to become pregnant.
• Pressuring her to end or continue a pregnancy.
• Monitoring periods or fertility.
• Threatening to leave unless she has (or doesn't have) a baby.

Everyone has the right to make decisions about their own body without fear, pressure or manipulation.

If these behaviours sound familiar, support is available. Scotland's Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline is available 24/7: 0800 027 1234

📣Please share this post to help more women recognise reproductive abuse.

05/08/2026

Domestic abuse within military communities presents both familiar and distinct challenges. While the dynamics of coercive control, risk and harm remain consistent, the context of military life, including mobility, hierarchy, deployment, and close-knit communities, can create additional barriers to reporting incidents, getting support, and seeking safety.

If you work with military personnel and their partners, you can sign up for our online course: Military Families: Domestic Abuse and Armed Forces Culture to equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to support those affected by domestic abuse.

The course will run on 26 August from 9.30am-1pm. It's free for members of the armed forces and you can sign up here: https://ow.ly/TgiN50Zl7T4

04/08/2026

Can you move 50 miles and help a woman feel safe in her own home? There’s still time to sign up to our challenge.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we are asking you to run, walk, swim, cycle or roll 50 miles, to help us tackle Scotland’s domestic abuse epidemic.

Take part your way, you can do it by yourself, or with family, friends or work colleagues.

All the info can be found here: https://bit.ly/4t4PM2E

03/08/2026

Pregnancy should be a time of safety, care and support. Sadly, for many women it is not.

Research shows that 1 in 3 women who experience domestic abuse report that it begins or escalates during pregnancy.

Abuse during pregnancy can affect both the mother and unborn baby. It may include physical violence, emotional abuse, coercive control, sexual abuse or controlling reproductive choices.

If someone is controlling your decisions, making you feel frightened, or preventing you from accessing support while you are pregnant, it is not your fault.

💜 If you're concerned about yourself or someone you know, support is available.

Scotland's Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline is available 24/7: 0800 027 1234

📣Please share this post to help raise awareness.

03/08/2026

Scottish Women's Aid welcomes the commencement of the long-awaited provisions in the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021, which give registered social landlords new powers to help survivors of domestic abuse remain safely in their homes while enabling perpetrators to be removed.

Our CEO, Dr Marsha Scott, said:

“We welcome the new legal provisions in place from today. For many women experiencing domestic abuse, housing, and fear of uprooting their children, is a barrier when it comes to leaving an abusive partner.

We hope making abusive behaviour a ground for eviction, will reduce children’s and women’s homelessness by allowing housing officials to help survivors stay in their own homes, forcing the abuser to leave. This should provide safety and stability and move the consequences of abuse onto the abuser for a change.”

We now look forward to Part 1 of the Bill being implemented as we continue to work with the Scottish Government, in making Scotland safer for women and children.”

New measures aim to help some domestic abuse victims to remain in their home where it is their wish, and it's safe and appropriate for them