Beware of domestic violence over the holidays

Domestic violence is an issue all year long. The stress of the holidays can sometimes make the issue of domestic violence even worse that what it is during the rest of the year. While the number of calls to domestic violence hotlines decrease on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, they tend to increase on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This increase is thought to be due, at least in part, to the increase in alcohol consumption on those days.

There isn’t any rhyme or reason that can explain with certainty why the calls decreases on those days. Maybe the victims aren’t able to call or maybe they don’t want to call on a holiday. One thing is for certain — people who are in abusive relationships should explore the options they have for getting out of those relationships before it is too late.

Let’s talk about leaving an abusive relationship. There are several places where you might be able to make a call that can help you get to safety. If you are able to get to a library, you can probably make the call there. Sometimes, being in a public place is the best thing you can do because there are people around you who can see what is going on.

You can also seek out a protective order to try to increase your safety. This order can be obtained anytime, even when the courts are closed. If you are ready to leave an abusive relationship, don’t let the fact that it is the holiday season keep you there.

Source: Domestic Shelters, “Domestic Violence Doesn’t Take a Holiday,” accessed Nov. 30, 2016

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