Domestic Abuse Soars Amidst Pressures Of Festive Season

Looking back over last year’s Process Serving figures revealed a shocking statistic. We served more than 30% Non-Molestation domestic abuse court injunctions in January when compared to the next busiest month of the year. This is despite the fact that calls to the National Domestic Violence Helpline for women and children (0808 2000 247) actually decrease over the festive period itself.

It is thought that the decrease in calls is because victims are loathe to report their crime and choose to suffer in an attempt to keep the family together. The punishments are very serious for domestic abuse, and you can get an emergency Non-Molestation court injunction served against an abuser within 24hours in some cases. It’s important to seek help.

Domestic violence is a major problem in the UK, and it is thought to be massively under-reported as a crime. Despite this, the figures relating to domestic abuse are utterly shocking and at Christmas time victims are at an increased risk.

Here are some of the reasons we’ve identified behind the sharp rise in domestic abuse over the festive and New Year period.

Alcohol and Domestic Abuse

Christmas time can lure even the most occasional of drinkers to consume excess amounts of alcohol. Alcohol increases irrational thoughts and can increase anxiety and over time lead to depressive thoughts. Evidence from several sources suggests domestic abuse is highly prevalent within the alcohol treatment population.

Infidelity and Domestic Abuse

Not only is this time of year prime-time for domestic abuse, Christmas time is also renowned for being a period where infidelity is at its height. The two can be linked in some cases. If you have betrayed or been betrayed by your partner there are ways to try and resolve the issues in your relationship, or arranging separation if you can’t resolve the problems. Nobody should have to suffer abuse and two wrongs don’t make a right.

Ex-Partners and Domestic Abuse

Nobody wants to spend Christmas alone, and it can be prime time for ex partners to reunite. This can be a good thing in some cases, but in others, where the relationship may already previously have been under pressure or even abusive, it can lead to further abuse.

Money Worries and Domestic Abuse

The financial pressure some families can be put under at Christmas can be overwhelming. We see first hand how credit card debt spirals out of control, as families aim to appease their children’s wishes for the latest technology or toy and show their loved one how much they mean to them. Easier said than done in some cases, but measures must be put in control to manage finances and the stresses that can cause undue stress caused by money worries.
Research indicates that the average person spends almost £470 on gifts, food, drink and socialising over Christmas. This spend at Christmas places a huge burden on the individuals and families that are already struggling to make ends meet.

Children and Domestic Abuse

For some parents, the extra stress of having the children away from school with high expectations regarding presents etc can cause increases in stress and anxiety, leading to an abuser acting irrationally towards their partner. Approximately 900,000 children witness domestic violence ever year, with incidents particularly high over the festive season. Children themselves can also be at increased risk of abuse at this time of year, and a child will contact Childline every 25 seconds this Christmas.

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse there is free and confidential help widely available.

The UK’s Top Domestic Abuse Charities and Organisations

Writer’s Bio: Lewis Murawski is the Marketing Director at Kahootz Media. He has been ranking websites on the first page of Google for more than 10 years. Connect with Lewis on LinkedIn.