Domestic violence - Unkindest blow of all

CHRISTMAS can be a time of great stress, some of it self-inflicted, more of it brought about by an individual’s or parents’ inability to meet the expectations of their loved ones.

Still more by families left to cope without maintenance payments promised by estranged partners. This stress can manifest itself in violence or, increasingly, in financial abuse.

Women’s Aid have warned that domestic violence is a feature of life throughout the year but it can be exacerbated at Christmas. Misuse of alcohol can play a very significant part in this peak.

It would be cheering to imagine that this is a problem of limited significance but it is not. Domestic violence can be emotional, psychological or physical and it is not acceptable in any shape or form.