Domestic Violence Mars Holidays

The holidays are a time of love, sharing, and empathy for many Americans, although victims of domestic violence know that holiday cheer is not in the cards for them. Instead, incidents of domestic violence (DV) spike during the holidays, filling homes with fear, anger, and pain throughout the country. Why is this time of year so violent for many families across the country?

Distressing Statistics

An average of 20 people endure physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner every minute of any given day. That adds up to over 10 million people who suffer physical attacks, which leads to 20,000 calls to DV hotlines. 15 percent of all violent crime in the country, in fact, is related to domestic violence. Women comprise 60 percent of victims, while four in ten are men. Sadly, 1 out of every 15 children in America is exposed to this violence — generally as an eyewitness to it. As cruel as these numbers are, things get even worse during the holidays, with intercessions by law enforcement jumping by at least 20 percent. Why is the most celebratory time of the year destroyed by hostility and suffering for so many?

Holiday Violence

Those who enact violence against intimate partners are a threat at any time, but the combination of several factors leads to higher than usual rates of DV during the holidays:

• Because abusers spend more time with their families during this time, there are simply more opportunities to be sparked to violent acts.
• Because drinking is common during seasonal celebrations, over-imbibing may reduce self-restraint among violent individuals.
• Family and societal expectations associated with spending for gifts and activities may lead to anxiety, humiliation, frustration, and violence.
• Parking predicaments, traffic congestion, crowds, and other troubles may escalate anxiety for anyone, and for those with short-tempered tendencies, it can be the key to explosions.
• The expectation to appear as a loving, tight-knit family may fuel apprehensions that lead to DV.
• Passing more time interacting with extended family can create conflict or stress that agitates aggressors.
• DV shelters, hotlines, counseling, and other resources that might otherwise provide assistance may be short-staffed, resulting in limited access to help.

Indications that Help is Needed

Families, friends, and communities can connect to protect anyone who is vulnerable to domestic violence. Knowing some signs of a problem can be a crucial step in providing needed assistance. Characteristics of an abusive individual frequently include:

• Behaving in a verbally and emotionally abusive manner;
• Striving to isolate an intimate partner;
• Blaming an intimate partner when things go wrong;
• Being hypersensitive;
• Controlling the activities, movements, and relationships of an intimate partner;
• Exhibiting extreme jealousy;
• Having unreasonable expectations.

Some Clues that Someone May be Experiencing DV 

For many who are on the receiving end of DV, fear and shame lead to an attempt to conceal what’s going on in their relationships. Indications of a potential problem include:

• Mysterious marks or bruising, and/or wearing clothing to cover up indicators of violence;
• Unreasonable excuses for being unable to attend family functions;
• Being checked up on constantly by their intimate partner;
• Having to get permission to talk on the phone, spend money, or go places.

Domestic Violence is Real

The dedicated Boca Raton domestic violence attorneys at WiseLieberman understand that domestic violence threatens millions of Americans every day. Regardless of gender, race, sexual identity, or other factors, you deserve a safe and healthy life. To discuss the legal resources available to help, contact our Boca Raton office today.