Christmas cheer or Christmas fear: Domestic abuse escalates at Christmas time.

​By Jennifer Sutherland/Rise Above Violence

​​Domestic violence often escalates during this time of year, creating a stark contrast between the festive cheer outside and the silent suffering inside the home. 

So, why does domestic violence increase at Christmas?

The reason for the rise in domestic violence during the holiday season is due to financial stress over buying Christmas gifts, heightened family expectations and the increase of alcohol consumption. The pressure of gift-giving, hosting and holiday travel can further strain households where abuse is already present.

Abusers may use the holiday as a tool for control, restricting access to loved ones or even sabotaging holiday plans as a way to exert dominance.

On average, police interventions related to domestic violence rise by 20 percent in December compared to other months of the year.

For women and men living with domestic abuse, Christmas offers no respite and can be a time of intensified coercion, punishment and violence. The toxic mix of financial pressure, families getting together and free-flowing alcohol can, quite simply, be a lethal combination. 
 
Excuses such as burnt dinner rolls or the wrong gift choice can quickly escalate into a very dangerous situation.

Christmas can also bring intensified feelings of misery to women and children suffering from domestic abuse, even if the abuse hasn’t escalated.