The Holiday Season & Domestic Violence

By Kysa Crusco on December 15, 2010

Though domestic violence is a year round problem, the holidays bring about a spike in domestic abuse. Whether the increase is due to holiday party alcohol and drug use, money pressure, or tense family get-togethers, the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is an especially dangerous time for victims of domestic violence.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, it is important to have a safety plan in place and seek help. Robert Mues’s Ohio Family Law Blog recently posted excellent suggestions that should be included in a safety plan:

Keep an extra set of car keys hidden somewhere that your husband doesn’t know about. Abusers often trap their wives by preventing their leaving.

Entrust one friend with your story who will let you come to them in an emergency. This should preferably be a person your husband doesn’t know.

If you have a cell phone, keep it with you (and charged) whenever he is around.

If you can, sleep in separate rooms and keep the door locked.

Some abusers have patterns; if you suspect your husband will be violent, leave the house.

Keep extra clothes for your kids and yourself at a neighbor’s house or in the trunk of your car.

Always keep a full tank of gas.

If there are firearms, try to get them out of the house; or at the very least, keep the ammunition in a separate place.

Never argue with your husband when he is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Keep some money in a place where your husband can’t find it.

Have a get-away plan in place.

ALWAYS TELL YOUR ATTORNEY!