Domestic violence during holiday season

The holiday season is a time where families come together. However, some research suggests that it is also a time where domestic violence increases, other’s disagree. However, these statistics are hard to measure because most domestic abuse goes unreported.

December is full of holiday celebration with friends and family and as the clock counts down to Christmas, the stress of the holiday season can get the best of us. The winter months also results in shorter days and less sunlight. The lack of sun can cause seasonal depression and alter mood behavior. In addition, conflicts in a family tend to increase during the holiday season, and much has to do with a families financial situation.

Dr. Daniel Traughber, Clinical Psychologist at Sanctuary Counseling in Chubbuck says, “There is definitely a relationship between increased stress and domestic violence. There’s a number of different factors especially this time of year that plays into domestic violence and an increase in stress in general.”

Whether that stress is fueled by finances or family conflict, it can sometimes lead to dark times, resulting in domestic disputes. “Statistically speaking, if you’re having financial stress in your household, you are 5X more likely to experience domestic violence than a family that is not having an economic problem.”

Contrary to common belief, domestic violence decreases during the holiday season nationwide, according to the national domestic violence hotline. But again, other research suggests that these statistics are hard to determine because most go unreported.

“So it’s very common for most individuals who go through the holidays. Some folks will tend to get more isolated. They tend to push people away and try to isolate because they can’t tolerate the level of stress and negative interactions.”

Regardless, for law enforcement is on high alert this time of year. Sheriff Lorin Nielsen of Bannock County says, “There are spikes, the statistics when the families get together, Thanksgiving, but Christmas is usually the biggest, biggest time of the year.

The holiday season can put stress on everyone, but there are ways defuse it.

Dr. Traughber says, “Focusing on spirituality, focusing on family, focusing on the things where they come from and putting that back into the center focus will sometimes release a lot of the stress.”

If you or anyone else is suffering from domestic abuse you can call the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233.