Observatory / SCT
Scotland
Criminal course-of-conduct offense (2018) · Primary / Carlton brief or statute text · Last reviewed August 31, 2026
What “pattern” means here
Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018: a course of behavior that is abusive, including behavior directed at a child. Psychological domination is inside the offense, not an add-on.
Statutes
Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018
Course of abusive behaviour.
Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 names these behaviors. The labels are codes, not statutes.
Expert standard
Scottish criminal courts. Not Daubert.
What Carlton Research can speak to
Carlton Research can speak to pattern analysis (coercive control breadth, depth, escalation, entrapment, and more). Research is built to the evidentiary rules of the jurisdiction that will hear it. Carlton Research does not recommend parenting time or custody. Research establishes whether a pattern of coercive control is present. Inquire about specific testimony requests or speaking engagements.
Often cited as the cleaner course-of-conduct draft. Still a criminal product.
Carlton, C. (2026). Coercive Control Observatory: Scotland. Carlton Research Instruments. /observatory/sct. Last reviewed August 31, 2026.