A “groundbreaking” new law has come into effect in Scotland that makes psychological domestic abuse and controlling behaviour a crime.

The Scottish parliament passed the Domestic Abuse Act in February last year, creating a specific offence of domestic abuse.

A law is already in place which is aimed at those who psychologically and emotionally abuse partners in England and Wales. It came into effect in 2015, under the Serious Crime Bill.

The Scottish act covers not just physical abuse, but psychological and emotional treatment and coercive and controlling behaviour, where abusers isolate their victim from their friends and relatives or control their finances.