Christmas and New Year is an exciting time of the year. However, we know that the Christmas period is time that many dread due to domestic abuse.
The Christmas period can mean that victims of domestic abuse have more exposure than normal to the abuse. There are many triggers at Christmas which can lead to further domestic abuse including being home from work, children not being in school and more use of alcohol. The growing Cost of Living Crisis will also be putting a strain on families, even more so during the Christmas period.
From November 2022 – January 2023, domestic abuse cases appeared to rise. The amount of phone calls received by police on Christmas Day 2022 in Northern Ireland was 110, which is a 10% increase from the amount of calls received in 2021.
Unfortunately, with domestic abuse rising over Christmas, this means many children are also exposed or subjected to this abuse also. This can have a direct impact on the children who are witnessing abuse in their family home and cause them emotional harm.
We understand that taking the step to reach out for support in respect of domestic abuse is difficult. It is important that family, friends and employers are aware of the potential risk of harm, especially during this period.
It is important that everyone is aware of the signs of domestic abuse so that support can be offered to victims at times where they may not feel they can reach out for this support.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse or know of somebody who is, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our domestic violence team for legal advice. We work with many organisations who can also assist you with taking the first step and offer support.