I recently did an interview with a journalist on the topic of domestic violence and the holidays. She wanted to know whether there is an increase in domestic violence over the holiday season. Actually, the research doesn't show any link between domestic violence and situational stress. However, there are also lots of reasons that people do not want to report incidents of relationship violence during the holiday season.
If you are in a violent relationship, know that there is help. There are a number of hotlines set up to help you understand your options and stay safe. In the U.S., you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. If you are outside of the U.S., check out this list of organizations/agencies that can help.
