Why Domestic Violence Increases During The Holidays: How to help survivors
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Why Domestic Violence Increases During The Holidays: How to help survivors
Definition Of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to gain and maintain power over an intimate partner. It ranges from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse to controlling financial resources or isolating a partner from friends and family members. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of gender, race, age, religion, or income.
Domestic violence victims must have the opportunity to access help and resources during the holiday season if their situation becomes too dangerous. There are many organizations dedicated to providing support for domestic violence, such as domestic violence shelters, advocacy groups, and legal aid services. Victims should consider any available avenues of escape if they feel their safety is in danger due to domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Survivors Are Everywhere
Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects far too many people, especially women, and children. Domestic violence shelters are specifically designed to provide safety and comfort for those impacted by this traumatic experience. They offer an array of services, such as emergency housing, legal advice, counseling, and financial literacy training. Domestic violence shelters provide a safe space to heal and start building a more positive future.
It’s important to note that they are available not just to the victims of domestic violence but also to their friends and family members who may have been affected by this difficult situation. Domestic violence shelters provide much-needed support during an incredibly difficult time in one’s life, making them a true blessing for many suffering from abuse both physical and emotional.
Do domestic violence calls increase or decrease during holidays?
Gifts For Domestic Violence Survivors
Domestic violence shelters experience a surge in demand during the holidays due to increased domestic violence cases, yet donations and volunteers often decline during this time as people are focused on celebrating and spending with family members. This can leave domestic abuse shelters struggling financially, making it difficult for them to provide necessary care and services to those affected by domestic abuse.
To help support domestic violence survivors over the holidays, readers are encouraged to donate to domestic violence shelters. A great way to do this is by purchasing items from my What to Donate to Domestic Violence shelters – gift guide I am a domestic violence survivor and spent some time in a shelter, so the guide I wrote comes from the heart and inside knowledge I have from going through the experience.
My guide includes items in every price range from under $6 and up. The gifts I suggest are both practical and meaningful, such as gift cards, portable phone chargers, charge cords – stuff left behind when it was time to run – and much-needed self-care products. Readers can also choose to donate directly to domestic violence shelters if they prefer not to purchase any physical items. If you want it to be more personal, some shelters, like the one I was in, gave non-identifying information and needs for each person to local churches, where gift-givers could choose from tags on a tree, buy gifts, wrap them and return them for distribution.
A Domestic Violence Survivor’s Experience
Experiencing an abusive relationship can be one of the most harrowing experiences a person will ever go through. Leaving an abusive relationship is a difficult and potentially dangerous task, as many abusers can become even more volatile during or after the breakup. It is not uncommon for victims to fear for their safety, especially in the time just after leaving.
During this period, it’s important to remember that all survivors of abuse need extra love and affection – both from support systems, like family and friends if they exist, and also from themselves. This has been proven to increase resilience during times of stress. For those without a support system, seeking professional help might be the best thing they can do for themselves. Knowing that there are people out there ready to help can make it easier to deal with the unknowns of post-abusive life while helping reconstruct self-esteem.
Why Domestic Violence Increases During Holidays
The holiday season can be a time of increased stress leading to volatile situations for those involved in domestic violence. The anxiety from all the shopping, parties, family obligations, and expectations can add to the already-tense atmosphere many households experience. Stressful financial worries caused by large purchases are also known to lead to domestic violence in vulnerable relationships.
Domestic violence shelters experience a surge in demand during the holidays due to increased domestic violence cases, yet donations and volunteers often decline during this time as people are focused on celebrating and spending with family members. This can leave domestic abuse shelters struggling financially, making it difficult for them to provide necessary care and services to those affected by domestic abuse.
The holidays can be an especially hard time for victims of domestic violence, who are already dealing with the trauma associated with their experiences. To show support during this tumultuous season, one of the most effective things people can do is to lend a non-judgmental ear and provide vital information about support programs and hotlines.
Raising Domestic Violence Awareness
Being aware of what the warning signs are for those in dangerous situations can help you to spot someone who might need help. If you think that someone might be living through a traumatic situation and could benefit from more specialized services.
It’s also important to take action by reaching out to local domestic violence organizations and hotlines that offer expert advice as well as resources and shelters for victims of abuse. Taking these steps often makes all the difference in helping victims find their way back to safety.
Domestic violence is an endemic problem that affects people throughout our community. Raising awareness about this issue is essential to help those who may be in an abusive situation, as well as to hopefully prevent these types of situations from occurring. One way to bring awareness to the issue is through engaging with local leaders and participating in campaigns targeted at those who are more likely to be victims or abusers.
Hosting educational events and speaking out against violence are some powerful ways of turning attention toward this important cause. Small acts of kindness can lead to bigger changes for families who are desperately searching for a safe environment. With ongoing education and discussion, together we can ease the burden placed on those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence.
Cases of domestic violence increase during the holidays, expert says
Let’s Make A Difference For Domestic Violence Survivors
We all have a shared responsibility to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence. This holiday season, encourage the survivors around you and empower them through thoughtful gifts. My domestic violence survivor gift guide offers great products that can provide a sense of comfort, hope, and joy during what can be a difficult time.
If you’d like to add an extra layer of support, I also invite you to read How Domestic Violence Affected My Life: My Survival Story to gain insight into the experience from someone who has recently escaped it. Together we can make a real impact in the lives of survivors!
In conclusion, domestic violence during the holidays is an all too common occurrence that leads to an increase in demand for domestic violence shelters which often lack the necessary resources due to a decrease in donations and volunteers during this time of year. As readers, we can take part in supporting domestic abuse survivors this holiday season by donating items from domestic violence shelters’ gift guides or donating directly to domestic abuse shelters.
Resources For Domestic Violence Survivors
Some organizations and resources specialize in providing support and safety for domestic violence victims. Not only do they provide direct assistance to those affected by domestic violence, but they also offer educational programs on the prevention of future incidents.
Additionally, they provide linkages to other community organizations and resources so that survivors may access the services that best suit their needs. With these organizations’ guidance and counsel, individuals subject to domestic violence can get out of the cycle of trauma and live their lives with safety and security.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.thehotline.org)
- RAINN – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (www.rainn.org)
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (www.ncadv.org)
- Women’s Law Initiative (www.womenslaw.org)
- National Network to End Domestic Violence (nnedv.org)
- Safe Horizon (www.safehorizon.org)
- Futures Without Violence (www.futureswithoutviolence.org)
- Break the Cycle (www.breakthecycle.org)
- Love is Respect (www.loveisrespectrespect.org)
- My Sisters” Place (www.mspny.org)
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