LAST week an important Disclosure Scheme known as Clare’s Law was rolled out across Scotland, one component of a multi-pronged Scottish Government approach designed to tackling the scourge of domestic abuse.

The ‘Clare’ in Clare’s Law refers to a young woman from Manchester called Clare Wood who was violently murdered by a boyfriend with a history of domestic abuse.

This law allows people to enquire with police if they suspect that their partner may have a record of violence or domestic abuse.

I have met and worked with many wonderful organisations which support victims of domestic abuse - from groups simply offering a safe space to talk like Tea in the Pot in Govan to bigger networks like Women’s Aid, which helps people to work towards leaving their abusers.

During these meetings I have heard about people from hugely diverse backgrounds who have found themselves in abusive living situations, no two stories are the same.

Abusive patterns can take a while to become obvious, but there may be some warning signs.

This scheme is designed to empower anyone who suspects they or a friend may be getting entering into a potentially abusive relationship, who has witnessed a warning sign, to ask the police if they or a loved one are in danger.

Domestic abuse can mean physical violence, verbal abuse, psychological torture - victims can be men and women, young and old, gay and straight.

Members of my extended family have been victims of abuse and I have seen how it can utterly drain a person of confidence and energy.

It is never acceptable, and can never be ‘provoked’.

all think we know what it looks like but, until it is eradicated from our society, we haven’t finished the work of tackling domestic violence - whether it’s education, empowering potential victims, helping people to escape or making it easier to prosecute a perpetrator.

In pursuit of this end, the First Minister announced earlier this year that the Scottish Government will be investing 20 million over the next three years to tackle violence against women.

This includes the introduction of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill, which will make domestic abuse a specific crime and is designed to tackle the recent awful rise in ‘revenge porn’

Finally, you may have heard that this year, for the first time, Glasgow will have the honour of hosting the world-famous Turner Prize exhibition in the marvellous Tramway Theatre. Glasgow has a strong artistic heritage - it is the home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art has nurtured the talents of many great artists from across the globe, including four recent Turner Prize winners.

The exhibit, which consists of works from four shortlisted artists, promises to be thought-provoking and will run from this month until January 2016.

So make the time to pop along.