5 Things You Need to Know: Why the Rates of Family Violence Increase at Christmas

Christmas, a time of joy and togetherness, can also be a period of heightened stress and tension. For many families experiencing family violence, the festive season can bring fear. It is reported that December is consistently one of the highest-recorded months for family violence incidents.

In this blog post, we'll explore five key reasons why family violence rates tend to rise during the Christmas period. By understanding these factors, we can identify and better support friends and loved ones we think might be experiencing violence at home.

Berry Street is working hard to address the increasing epidemic of family violence, but every year we are seeing the problem grow worse.

Your support of our work is vital. Donations allow us to provide vital services to families experiencing family violence. Please donate this Christmas to help families experiencing violence.

1. Intensified family stressors

The holiday and Christmas period can bring significant stress, including financial pressures, increased childcare demands, and the burden of hosting or attending family gatherings. These stressors can create tension within families.

When someone is using violence and abuse towards their family members, any added stressors can be used as an excuse to escalate the frequency and severity of these behaviours. Someone using violence or abusive behaviours may be more likely to increase these behaviours as a means to feel in control. They may blame their increased stress as the reason, but it’s important to remember that many people experience increased stress at this time of year and don’t use violence or abuse. Violence and abusive behaviours are never okay.

2. Reduced safe spaces

Often victim survivors may use places away from the home such as their workplace or places of education as a safe space away from their partner. They may choose to stay there for extended periods of time or longer than is usual to feel safe during the day.

However, during the holiday period, schools break-up for the year, and workplaces often implement forced annual leave. This means for many Australians, a significantly increased amount of time is spent at home.

This means that people who’re targeted by someone using violence might have fewer opportunities for respite or to seek support. This can leave people feeling trapped and isolated, increasing the opportunity for the person using violence to exert power and control through violence. Additionally, the presence of extended family members can make it more difficult for either the person using violence or the person they target to disclose the abuse or seek help.

3. Creating the illusion of “togetherness”

The pressure to maintain a happy and harmonious family image during the holidays can lead people using violence and abuse or the people they target to conceal their behaviours or experiences. Many families don’t want to consider that even if a family member appears friendly, charming or charismatic, they might be hiding a pattern of behaviour towards their partner or children that reduces their family member’s access to choice, control and safety.

Both people using violence and abuse or the people they target may feel compelled to participate in family events and activities even when it’s not safe to do so.

4. Increased expenses

The financial burden of the holiday season can worsen financial stress within families. The holiday season often means increased expenses – things like presents, hosting events, attending celebrations can all cause financial strain.

It is well understood that financial pressures can cause people using violence to escalate their violence and abuse.

5. Increased alcohol consumption

Alcohol consumption often increases during the Christmas season, and this can fuel existing violent behaviours. Drinking alcohol can inhibit good decision making so that someone who uses violence may do so even more unpredictably and dangerously.

However, it’s important to remember that alcohol use can never be blamed as the ‘reason’ someone chooses to use violence. Many people drink alcohol and don’t use violent behaviours. While alcohol can contribute to an environment where existing violent tendencies are heightened, it should never be considered the cause of someone’s violence.

Support your friends and family this Christmas

It's crucial to recognise that family violence is a serious issue that can be used by or targeted at anyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, background, education or profession. By understanding the factors that contribute to increased family violence during the festive season, you can better support friends and loved ones who might be using or experiencing it.

Getting help

Worried about yourself, a friend or another family member? The following services provide help and support:

Nationwide 24-hour services

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Victoria-wide services

The Orange Door – various locations, visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (24-hour service): 1800 015 188 or 03 9322 3555

Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24-hour service): 1800 806 292

For men wanting support with their behaviours or people wanting support to invite someone else to change:

Men's Referral Service (24-hour service): 1800 065 973

Family violence service for migrant and refugee women:

In Touch Multicultural Centre against Family Violence: 03 9482 5744 or 03 8413 6800

For Aboriginal victim survivors or non Aboriginal victim survivors with Aboriginal children:

Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Service (Melbourne): 03 9482 5744

Specialist support

Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367

Dardi Munwurro: (03) 8456 3044