The holidays are here, and along with them are a mountain of factors that can make stress levels sky-rocket, and create a breeding ground for domestic violence.
Many people take vacation during the holiday season, which would seem to lower stress levels, but with financial obligations, shopping, relationship troubles, and family issues, the holidays can be extremely overwhelming.
Did you know that 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime? Source: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
That is a scary statistic, and unfortunately a topic that many people often are too uncomfortable to discuss. The fact is, it is a problem, and the more we analyze our environment, partners, and lifestyle, the better off we will be.
Many victims that have reported domestic violence have been abused on more than one occasion. It is important to remember that the abuser is the person who needs to make a change, not the victim.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please report it, and get help if needed to remove yourself from the relationship and situation.
Your first step after calling 911 is to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or to your local domestic violence outreach organization for help in creating a plan for your safety.
Please be safe this holiday season, and please, call 911 if you are a victim of domestic violence.
Linda Malek is a criminal defense attorney in Akron Ohio. If you or a loved one are in need of a domestic violence attorney in Akron Ohio, please contact her at (330) 819-8018 for a confidential case review.