A SUNDAY Herald journalist has won an award for the second year running at the fifth annual Write to End Violence Against Women Awards, organised by the Zero Tolerance campaign. Vicky Allan won the award of for Best Article – Feature for her story titled "Domestic abuse: This article will upset you but it is vital that you read it".

Her story highlighted the "groundbreaking" new Domestic Abuse Bill and the plans to create a specific domestic abuse offence recognising “controlling and coercive behaviour”. She also provided a number of powerful case studies, speaking to women who had experienced forms of domestic abuse.

She writes: "That physical abuse and controlling behaviour come as part of a pattern is something that has long been acknowledged by frontline organisations like Edinburgh Women’s Aid. Their chief executive Linda Rodgers notes that the majority of women coming to them have experienced some form of controlling or coercive behaviour."

The Sunday Herald is media partner of the awards, which are also supported by White Ribbon Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid, Engender, Everyday Victim Blaming, Women 50:50, Rape Crisis Scotland, Women for Independence and the Scottish Refugee Council.

The awards seek to drive up standards in journalism by rewarding those committed to furthering the cause of gender equality through their work. Last year, Allan won the award for the best article campaigning against violence against women, for her article: "India – in the land where women are deemed worthless".