Cookies

We use cookies to improve your experience of using our website. Please let us know if you agree to the use of these cookies.

No, take me to settings
The Church of Scotland
  • Skip to content
  • Donate
  • Home
  • About us
  • Worship
  • Get involved
  • News and events
  • Resources

You are here:

  • Home
  • >About us
  • >Our departments
  • >Safeguarding Service
  • >Safeguarding handbook
  • >Chapter 7: Responding to domestic abuse

The Church of Scotland Domestic Abuse Policy Statement

The Church recognises that domestic abuse is part of the safeguarding and public protection agendas.

The Church of Scotland recognises that domestic abuse is part of the safeguarding and public protection agendas. It is also a component of the wider societal issue of gender-based violence.

Domestic abuse happens in all parts of society, including in faith communities. Domestic abuse is an issue for the Church of Scotland too.

We aim to:

  • Raise awareness in local congregations, presbyteries, councils, forums of the Church and CrossReach Services about domestic abuse and its impact on individuals, children, the wider family and community
  • Encourage Church communities to create safe pathways to support services for those affected by domestic abuse
  • Increase awareness of and access to support services for those affected by domestic abuse and, where appropriate, for perpetrators
  • Where appropriate, facilitate suitable training from appropriate agencies for key staff and relevant Church leaders and encourage Church members to undertake basic training
  • Encourage collaborative working with other denominations and agencies.

Chapter 7: Responding to domestic abuse

Introduction to the guidelines

In this section

  • Our faith
  • Our views
  • Our structure
  • Our departments
    • Church property
    • Communications
    • Faith Action Programme and committees
    • General Trustees
    • Housing and Loan Fund
    • Human Resources Department
    • IT Department
    • Law Department
    • Safeguarding Service
      • About us
      • Latest news
      • Safe recruitment
      • Safeguarding publications
      • Safeguarding handbook
        • Chapter 1: Safeguarding values, policy and roles within the Church
        • Chapter 2: Protecting children and adults at risk of harm
        • Chapter 3: The safe recruitment, selection and management of volunteers and paid staff
        • Chapter 4: Safeguarding Training—what is available, who it’s for, and how to access it
        • Chapter 5: Safeguarding in practice
        • Chapter 6: Managing those who ‘pose a risk’
        • Chapter 7: Responding to domestic abuse
        • Appendix 1: Code of Good Safeguarding Practice
        • Appendix 2: Historical (non-recent) abuse policy and procedure
        • Appendix 3: Job description for a Safeguarding Coordinator
        • Appendix 4: Legislation and further guidance
        • Appendix 5: Fact-finding investigation – model structure
        • Appendix 6: International Presbytery and Presbytery of Jerusalem recruitment and police checks
      • Training
      • Members area
    • Service Departments
    • Stewardship
    • Stewardship and Finance
    • Stewardship Finance and Trusts
  • General Assembly

General

  • Vacancies and volunteering
  • Properties for sale
  • Historical records
  • Life events

Inside the Church

  • Forums, committees and departments
  • General Assembly
  • Safeguarding Service
  • National Stewardship Programme

Privacy and cookies

  • Privacy centre
  • Data Protection
  • Your rights and choices
  • Cookie policy and settings

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Departmental contacts
  • Media enquiries
  • Complaints

Copyright, sitemap and technical information

  • Scottish Charity Number SC011353
  • Copyright © The Church Of Scotland, 2025. All Rights Reserved
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • News feed (RSS)
  • Linkedin