For most of us, Christmas conjures up images of cringeworthy cracker jokes, sickly mulled wine and a haze of Christmas parties.
But for others, Christmas is the most feared time of the whole year. Domestic violence rises significantly during the festive period. Not a year goes by when there isn’t a seasonal spike in incidents reported to the police.
As you’d imagine, the combination of financial pressure, free-flowing alcohol and being cooped up in closed quarters, puts additional burden on relationships. In an already abusive relationship the risks of abuse increases. The violence is so much more poignant and victims have to be hypervigilant.
Domestic violence doen't just happen at Christmas
According to Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge “Two women are killed by their current or former partners every week in England and Wales alone. Whilst domestic violence happens all year round – including at Christmas; it is important for victims to know that no matter what time of year, no one should suffer in silence and they should turn to support services and specialist agencies for help support.
Unsurprisingly, children pick up on what is going on. Regardless of whether they see anything, the likelihood is, they are hearing things and the long term effects of this are sometimes irreversible.
Refuge
The domestic violence charity Refuge has just released a series of powerful, reversible poems. Read one way, the poems tell the story of a happy family. But when you read them in reverse, they reveal the terrifying reality of living with an abuser. The link can be found below...
https://www.refuge.org.uk/refuge-unveils-chilling-reversible-poems/
So if you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. Help is at hand and you do not have to suffer alone.
