Domestic abuse rises near Christmas

Abusive men are threatening their children’s hopes for Christmas as a way of hurting them and their mother, according to the Women’s Aid helpline.

Staff say they have received calls from women who say they and their children witness and experience “more frequent and more severe abuse” around Christmas.

“Some men use the holidays to threaten children, using them as pawns in control and intimidation,” according to manager of the 24-hour national freephone helpline, Linda Smith.