With the holidays fast approaching and cooler weather rolling in, let us not forget to take those extra steps to prepare ourselves for the added stress.
During the holiday season, people are usually motivated to keep up appearances. They don't want to leave or break up their family right in the middle of family and work celebrations, especially if they have children. However, come January and February a significant spike in domestic violence related reports do happen.
Financial stresses of buying enough or the right gifts for everyone, throwing or attending parties and working overtime to pay for it all can make certain individuals feel as though they have lost control over money, time and maybe even their partner.
Often in relationships where there is violence, there are also issues of jealousy. One partner may want to spend more time with family and/or friends which can feel threatening to the partner who is an abuser. Some reasons for this include fear of controlling and/or violent incidents being revealed to others, inability to isolate the victim and thoughts that the victim may find the courage (through help from others) to leave the abuser. This can cause dangerous circumstances for the victim and safety precautions must be made.
Another factor to consider during the holidays is alcohol. While alcohol is not always a contributor to violence, it can be for many. Alcohol increases impulsivity and inhibits self-control.
Therefore, physical violence while intoxicated creates more severe wounds to the victim with a greater chance of long lasting negative effects or even permanent damage. So, while it is widely acceptable to have alcohol at holiday parties, if violence is an issue, trying to avoid having it available is advised.
Also, many people choose to stay in an abusive relationship for fear of losing their children in a custody battle or the feeling of taking a parent away from that child. One thing to remember is that domestic violence is a learned behavior. Staying in an abusive relationship for the kids can teach a child that it is acceptable to abuse someone and/or that it is acceptable to be abused by a partner.
This continues the cycle of abuse and causes that child to be much more susceptible to substance abuse problems, promiscuity, pregnancy and their own violent relationships. It is also proven that at least 50 percent of children living in a violent home will also be abused by that parent/partner while living with them. No one deserves to abused, neither an adult nor a child.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, Winnemucca Domestic Violence Services (WDVS) has the resources to create safety plans, help prepare you to leave an abusive relationship and inform you of the signs of an abuser.
There are several resources in our community to help you and your children become self-sufficient and live a violence free life. You can contact WDVS at (775) 625-1313, and we are located at 50 Melarkey St., Suite A.[[In-content Ad]]
