So if you have arrived to the debate late, here is a recap:

A Bill to criminalise psychological domestic abuse will be passed at 5pm with some campaigners saying it "could change Scotland forever".

The Domestic Abuse Bill, external, which has wide backing, creates a specific offence of "abusive behaviour in relation to a partner or ex-partner".

Image source, Laura Dodsworth

This includes psychological abuse such as coercive and controlling behaviour as well as violence.

Critics claimed it could be difficult to gather sufficient evidence.

However, Dr Marsha Scott, the chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid, said she was "excited" that the Scottish Parliament was about to pass the bill.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell says it is clear there is total consensus in the chamber for the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Ms Mitcell says there is currently a gap in the law when trying to address coercive and controlling behaviour.

"There does not have to be black and blue bruises to be a victim of domestic abuse."

"Domestic abuse is a stain on our society," begins Labour MSP Claire Baker.

The Bill is significant in its understanding of coercive abuse and its impact on women's lives, she says.

The additional training to be given to police is welcomed but the member expresses concern about the fact judicial training remains optional.

Concerns about funding for women's support organisations are also raised and Claire Baker urges the Scottish government to consider how to resolve this.

She hopes the Bill will improve the lives of women and children.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP James Dornan says he has spoken to Rape Crisis and Scottish Women's Aid and the Waves Project in Castlemilk which shows how important the Domestic Abuse Bill is.

Mr Dornan pays tribute to the women who have told him their stories of surviving abuse.

This legacy of change belongs to the many victims of domestic abuse, says Mr Dornan.

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie says: "Today we do make history."

"We can begin a healing process, the scars of which have existed by some centuries," she adds.

This Bill shows the Scottish parliament is a guarantor of human rights, Ms McKelvie states.

She says all perpetrators share controlling and coercive characteristics.

It is a gendered crime which overwhelmingly impacts women - but not exclusively, she states.

Methods of control are insidious, often subtle but equally harming, the SNP MSP adds.

"Finally, we can ensure the victims of domestic abuse will have their voice, will have our support and will have justice", Ms McKelvie concludes.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry urges the Scottish government to address concerns about the requirements being places on police officers, in particular giving proper training in the new law.

Police Scotland has changed its approach to domestic abuse which previously meant almost all alleged perpetrators were kept in custody.

Before the shift, the zero-tolerance policy meant accused were held until they could appear at a court hearing.

The policy change means about one in five accused, those who are judged to be less of a risk to the victim, are now released on special conditions.

Police said the written undertakings were "very stringent".

These could include conditions such as being forced to leave the family home or not approaching the alleged victim.

They would also state that an accused has to appear in court within the next 14 working days.

SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor highlights emotional abuse and coercive behaviour are also forms of domestic abuse, and it is not just physical violence.

Sarah says she helped her boyfriend conceal his abuse because she was scared of how he would react if she told the police.

"I was covering up for him so they might have been thinking it was not that bad but really it was hell," she says.

"There were two times when I thought he was going to murder me but I concealed that from the police."

Sarah, a name we are using to protect her anonymity, says her ex-boyfriend was arrested when other people had called the police but he was "very clever" and always managed to break the conditions of his bail without getting caught.

Read more of Sarah's story.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Liam Mcarthur also praises the powerful testimony of survivors in informiing this legislation.

Mr McArthur says his party looks forward to voting to pass this Bill shortly, albeit more needs to be done.

He says the Bill provdes certainty that what people, mainly women, have suffered will be recognised and the perpetrator brought to justice.

Mr Mcarthur says it is right non-harassment orders must be considered by courst in domestic abuse cases and he welcomes Linda Fabiani's success during this afternoon's amendment stage.

Police officers and staff are to receive training to prepare them for a planned change in the law on domestic abuse.

A total of 14,000 police and control room staff will be given the training this year, ahead of the expected implementation of the new legislation.

Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald, of Police Scotland, said the bill would target crimes which are more "insidious", and that officers would require additional training to be able to identify the new offences.

ACC MacDonald said it was a complex area which could include financial control and restricting a victim's activities and movements, which could often result in a lack of confidence.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP John Finnie thanks the courageous people who gave such harrowing evidence to the Justice Committee.

Mr Finnie says: "There is a gap in the law that needs to be filled."

He says years of psychological abuse takes it toll and on the children too.

The former senior policeman says: "We'd be failing if we didn't legislate."

Image source, Laura Dodsworth

The number of domestic abuse incidents has risen by 1% over the past year, according to figures released by Police Scotland.

Between April 2016 and March 2017 59,000 incidents were recorded, nearly half of which resulted in at least one crime or offence being recorded.

In 79% of cases there was a female victim and a male accused. Women were accused by men in 18% of incidents.

The overall figure has decreased slightly over the past five years.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale says too often women's organisations have to justifty their existence for every funding round, but she says this Bill shows what they do and why they are needed.

This is an ambitious and bold Bill she says, citing four reasons:

1. it removes the accused from being allowed to conduct their own defence
2. it creates the crime of coercion
3. non-harassment orders
4. bail restrictions for those accused of domestic abuse

Image source, bbc

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne says this Bill takes meaningful and necessary steps to tackle domestic abuse.

Ms Ballantyne urges the minister to consider emergency banning orders.

"I hope this will be a watershed moment for all those who have suffered at the hand of abusers."

Image source, bbc

Grazia Robertson, a criminal solicitor in Glasgow, told BBC Scotland it could be difficult to secure prosecutions.

"How would you gather sufficient evidence to successfully prosecute in a criminal court?" she said

"I think there will be problems."

She said the bill acknowledges that prosecutions may not be able to rely on evidence from the person who has been abused.

"You may be relying on the evidence or perceptions of other people and that will make it more difficult," she said."

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says the Domestic Abuse Bill is "quite simply a groundbreaker".