THE role the community can play in tackling domestic abuse was discussed at a recent conference.

More than 200 people attended the Clydebank Town Hall event, which was hosted by West Dunbartonshire Council earlier this month.

Councillor Diane Docherty, convener of housing and communities, said: “I am delighted with the turnout we had here today from residents who are, like us, determined to bring information about domestic abuse to the forefront of their community and help rid our area of this pandemic crime.

“The discussions today were extremely valuable, and a great starting point for our next moves as we continue to work to tackle domestic abuse.”

The Breaking the Cycle conference featured representatives from West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, West Dunbartonshire CVS, and Police Scotland.

The guests heard from officers behind the council’s innovative No Home for Domestic Abuse policy, which introduced a zero tolerance approach to domestic abuse in council homes.

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Police officers spoke about the ways in which a perpetrator can hide their behaviour, as well as detailing of some of the worst cases of domestic violence and coercive control that have occured in recent years.

Most importantly, the attendees had the opportunity to participate in a round-table discussion considering what barriers exist to ridding society of domestic abuse.

Councillor Caroline McAllister, vice convener of housing and communities and violence against women champion, added: “As a council we have undertaken a lot of work to try to reduce the instances of domestic violence in our area.

“But the communities have to play a part in this, and their role is vital because it is about prevention, which is why it was so encouraging to see so many people attend today.”