Businesses across Clydebank have joined forces with Police Scotland to tackle the area’s shameful domestic abuse problem.

The initiative will educate employers about the harmful behaviours associated with the issue in order to recognise them and raise awareness within the workplace.

Through collaborative working with partners to deliver education, training and the development of duty-of-care policies, the scheme aims to reduce domestic abuse in the area and encourage more people to report it.

West Dunbartonshire has the worst record in Scotland for domestic abuse, just short of two incidents of violence each day according to 2016 statistics.

And earlier this year, Beth Culshaw, chief officer of West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, admitted the problem is so deep-rooted in Clydebank that ongoing work to tackle the epidemic had failed to have an effect.

A number of different schemes have been launched by West Dunbartonshire Council, including “No Home for Domestic Abuse” in June.

Now, the new campaign between police and businesses sees the Golden Jubilee Hospital, West of Scotland College Campus in Clydebank, Aggreko and Chivas (Pernod Ricard) all taking part in the training which will be facilitated by Medics Against Violence.

The first training session was held in the Golden Jubilee last week.

Detective Superintendent Calum Young from West Dunbartonshire CID said: “We all have a part to play in tackling this issue and local employers involved in this initiative are helping us send a clear message that there is no place for domestic abuse in West Dunbartonshire.

“Domestic abuse comes in many forms and is not only about physical violence. Controlling behaviour, emotional abuse and intimidation can also be serious factors.

“This programme will provide companies with important information about the different harmful behaviours associated with this issue and how to identify and raise awareness of them.” It will also educate employers on recognising signs that someone may be suffering domestic abuse and provide support to anyone in the workplace who requires it.

“This is an excellent opportunity for employers to make a positive impact in their community and we are looking forward to working in partnership with them to tackle domestic abuse”

Dr Christine Goodall, Medics Against Violence, said: “It is very encouraging that the police of West Dunbartonshire are being so proactive in engaging local employers around the issue of domestic abuse.

“Medics Against Violence are delighted to be partnering with them in delivering this training, which we hope will raise awareness of a serious problem which continues to blight our communities.”

Gil Paterson, Clydebank’s MSP, welcomed the new initiative.

He said: “This is a very important issue and one which I have a particular interest in as I convened the cross-party group on men’s violence against women and children back in 1999 when the Scottish Parliament was first introduced. The group is thriving and works hard to raise awareness of the issue among the male population, encouraging them to influence their peers.

“I welcome this important initiative and commend the police and the employers across West Dunbartonshire who are getting involved. Any work done on the problem has a positive effect and I wish it success.”

Any employers interested in joining the programme can contact West Dunbartonshire’s divisional domestic abuse unit via 101.