The Christmas Holidays are well underway. We are purchasing gifts, planning and attending Christmas parties and dinners. Our homes are filled with excitement as we anticipate Christmas Day. Unfortunately, that is not true for most victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
Many victims are walking on egg shells in hopes to not set their abuser off or at least give them an excuse for an abusive episode. With the excitement also comes an increase in alcohol and drug use. This increase adds to an already volatile situation.
Survivors are struggling to make ends meet. Many are living in shelters, in an extended stay, in their car or on the street with their children. The holidays present additional stress which is often accompanied with depression and suicidal thoughts.
The holiday season can be an exceptionally tough emotional period for many domestic violence victims, including children. Loving mothers will do whatever is necessary to create a fun and festive holiday environment for her children, however; for children living in a home where violence occurs, very often Christmas represents a prolonged period of tremendous fear due to the anticipation of violence.
As you celebrate the holidays please remember those who are still in abusive situations as well as survivors and their children that are working to put their lives back together.
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Photo credit: Safe Horizon
