Domestic violence is an issue year-round. Does the danger ‘spike’ during the holidays?

The National Coalition Against Domestic Abuse says that in the U.S., one in four women and one in nine men have been physically abused, sexually abused or stalked by an intimate partner.

And the onset of COVID-19 caused a rise in domestic violence.

One Harvard expert said that at the very beginning of the pandemic, calls to domestic violence hotlines slowed way down because many people on the receiving end of abuse didn’t have a safe, private place to make the call.

But pandemic or not, many survivors are often afraid to seek help, or to speak about their experience with domestic violence. 

“Most people are fearful of talking about it for multiple reasons: one, that they’re afraid of their partner; fear of being judged; and once you keep a secret it’s hard to come out and tell the secret,” said Christine Ramos, operations director with the Family Service Agency, a Burbank non-profit that provides services for domestic violence victims.

“Unfortunately it has to do a lot with secret-keeping,” Ramos added, “the inability to talk about things that are going on in your home, in a place where you should feel safe.” 

Domestic violence does not only impact partners. Children are often considered as “hidden victims”. Studies have estimated that 10 million children witness domestic violence each year.

(Sydney Sims/Unsplash Images)

There’s a persistent belief that domestic violence cases often rise during the holiday season.

Some advocacy organizations contend there’s not much data to back up the claim that abuse reports increase over the month.

One study does suggest domestic violence spikes on certain days, like New Years’ and Memorial Day. On other holidays, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, there are fewer domestic violence incidents.

Anecdotally, Shannon Carter, an assistant city attorney in Burbank, said her office does seek a “spike” during the holidays.

“I would say it’s less because people are spending time together and more because holidays are very stressful,” said Carter, whose office also works with the Family Service Agency in Burbank.

“We love spending time with loved ones,” Carter added, “but there’s a lot of pressure around the holidays to get together with people who you don’t normally see.” 

Carter added that extended family members often report child abuse when they reunite during the holidays after a long time apart and realize something is wrong.

Overall, the best evidence is that domestic violence is an ongoing issue no matter the time of year. 

Ramos mentions that she encourages anyone experiencing domestic violence to seek help from a program. 

Domestic violence counselors “have the time usually to sit with them and help them to safety plans and figure out what’s going to be the best safest way for them to exit if that’s what they want to,” said Ramos.

Brianna Michelle, founder of the organization Voices Beyond Assault, said that other activities can be helpful for survivors beyond therapy.

“Let’s go bowling, pole dancing to fall in love with our bodies, boxing classes to let energy go, let’s eat together and empower each other,” said Michelle. “We can connect and help each other continue to heal and thrive.” 

If you need help with domestic violence, L.A. County offers a telephone hotline: 1-800-978-3600 

To reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline, text “START” to 88788.

This show was produced by Jailene Aguilera, Victor Bretado, Andre Lopez and Nicole San Juan.