ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – When we think about the holidays, many think of time with family and friends, but for some, it can be one of the most dangerous times of their lives.
“It might be around marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, and of course, the holidays,” said Dr. Trina Clayeux, CEO of Give an Hour.
Experts say it’s a combination of these factors that often leads to the rise of domestic violence reports this time of year.
“Certainly financial stress, family pressures, we can see an increase in substance use between one party or both parties, and certainly more time together, just the close proximity to the abuser can be a time for rising tension,” said Clayeux.
Clayeux says Thanksgiving through the New Year can be a particularly high-risk period for victims of domestic violence. With more people home from work and school, there’s more opportunity for tension to build.
When it comes to spotting signs of abuse, Clayeux says victims may not always show visible signs, but their behavior can change. Experts say it’s crucial to approach these conversations with care, as forcing people to talk about their situations before they’re ready can make things worse.
“If this is a friend or family member of yours, and you’ve known them to be very outgoing and then suddenly they are being very withdrawn, or maybe agitated or snappy with the kids and that’s not usual, those are signs that we always say that’s time to pay attention and ask some better and different questions,” said Clayeux.
For those who are experiencing domestic violence, Clayeux says it’s important to have a plan in place.
“Being aware of what your resources are, making a plan ahead of time, watching for some of those triggering events that you do anticipate,” said Clayeux.
Roanoke and Lynchburg have available and accessible resources for people experiencing domestic violence.
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