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Domestic violence is a serious concern no matter the time of year. However during the holiday season, domestic violence rates have been known to increase.
“There are a number of reasons why we see violence during the holidays. People are spending more time at home because of holiday breaks, which limits the time they can seek help from outside sources like law enforcement, advocacy, and helpers working at the schools,” Kayla Jones said, the Domestic Violence Program Coordinator at North Dakota Domestic and Sexual violence coalition (NDDSVC).
To go into further details, “Victims may be more reluctant to leave or report their abusers during this time, fearing they’ll ruin the holidays for their children and others with whom they normally observe the holidays,” CAWC article, Why Domestic Violence Increases During the Holiday Season states.
From Berry Street, an Australian publication, they talk about how keeping up work appearances can add to the stress. Holidays can lead to promotions or big bonuses that require good appearances or good work ethic. This can lead back to the home where the abuser lets their stress out on their family.
Another thing Berry Street talks about is keeping appearances in front of other family members. Abusers don't want outside family members to catch onto abuse, so rules become more strict, or harder to follow.
“The expectation to maintain a cheerful demeanor, coupled with the stress of family interactions, can lead to heightened emotions. For those already in volatile relationships, these emotional triggers can escalate conflicts into physical or emotional violence.” The CAWC article said.
Domestic violence or dating violence is very much prominent during the holidays, but like said above by Jones; abuse just doesn't happen during the holidays.
“Domestic violence/dating violence is an ongoing and intentional pattern of violence, or threat of violence, directed at a current or former partner that is used to gain and maintain power and control over that person,” Jones said.
Jones later in the interview goes on to talk about how people believe that domestic/ dating violence happens due to anger issues. However that is not the case.
“If it was just an anger management problem, they would be violent toward other people, not just their partner or kids,” Jones said.
Domestic violence can be seen in different ways, common scenarios are: a partner calling you names, putting you down, or making you feel bad about yourself. More scenarios are when your partner tries to control everything you do: where you go, who you can see, and what you can wear.
Abusers believe that they have the reigns in these relationships. “They want, and feel entitled to have, power and control over their partners. Domestic violence and dating violence is a thinking problem,” Jones said.
“Financial abuse can also increase at this time of year. A partner might refuse to contribute to presents, restrict spending, or demand that every purchase be justified,”the article For Babies sake article named When Christmas Doesn’t Feel Merry: Understanding Domestic Abuse During the Festive Season states.
Financial pressures are a primary factor: the costs of Christmas gifts, food, social events can lead to significant stress in households. For those already in abusive relationships, this stress can escalate conflicts.
“If you, or someone you care about, are experiencing violence, there are people across North Dakota who can help you navigate your options. NDDSVC has a map with all of the organizations in North Dakota that can be found at www.nddsvc.org/findhelp,” Jones said.
Ashlynn Rath
Ashlynn Rath
Ashlynn Rath is the Assistant Editor-in-Chief and the feature editor for The Courier. She has been on staff for 3 years now and has written many fun articles as well as serious ones. If you have any request for articles to read, you can find her email in her bio!
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