Members' Business: Financial Abuse to be Recognised Fully as Coercive and Controlling Behaviour

That the Parliament recognises that the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, which covers coercive and controlling behaviour, makes not just physical abuse, but psychological abuse, emotional trauma and controlling behaviour a crime; welcomes this new law and the benefits that it will have for people who have been subject to domestic abuse, including those in the Glasgow Cathcart constituency; however, understands that independent researchers, along with several anti-abuse campaigners and third sector organisations, are calling for financial abuse to be fully recognised as controlling and coercive behaviour; notes calls for financial institutions to use best practice rules when it comes to their dealings with particularly vulnerable women who have suffered financial abuse, and for others to review their handling procedures of financial matters when it comes to domestic abuse, and further notes calls for Police Scotland to take account of financial abuse when investigating crimes committed under the Act.