Search for
Search for
Search forFestive flashpoint for abuse victims
Friday, November 21, 2008, 07:30
Now police and support services are urging victims to seek help during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Figures show that the number of cases rise sharply during the holiday period, especially on Boxing Day and in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Last year 16 people were prosecuted on New Year's Day – up from the daily average of four.
On Boxing Day the number was seven.
Lincolnshire Police domestic abuse coordinator Sarah Norburn said: "Domestic violence can happen at any time but we are aware that family stress and greater consumption of alcohol can cause more risks over Christmas and New Year.
"This was illustrated last year with a big concentration of incidents in the hours between midnight and 4am on New Year's Day.
"We urge anyone experiencing any abuse - physical, psychological or emotional - to report it immediately. We will not tolerate it at all."
Lincolnshire county domestic abuse manager Dianna Broadmeadow, who co-ordinates the different support agencies, said protecting victims is paramount.
"We know violence and abuse can surface over Christmas but our main concern is to protect victims and offer them strong and constant help all year round," she said.
"We want victims to feel safe and to remind them that they are not alone – abuse is not restricted to any particular age, location or gender."
For more details on what support agencies have to say about domestic violence and a full list of contact numbers, see Friday's Lincolnshire Echo
Comment on this story