Domestic violence increase during the holidays

During the holidays, domestic violence tends to increase

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Experts at WOMENHAVEN say the increase started during the pandemic but last December cases were even higher than in 2021.

The director of legal services at WomenHaven says last month she attended 17 domestic violence court cases. That's 25-percent more than last year.

She says the holidays also play a huge role in domestic violence.

“Prior to the pandemic there always seem to be a lessening of clients or victims coming into our offices or even the shelter due to the fact that people like to reconcile and make nice around holidays but again the pandemic has changed all of that,” said Judith Klein-Pritchard, director of legal services.

Domestic violence comes in all shapes and forms some don’t even know that they are in a domestic violence situation.

“It can be verbal...it can be physical...it can be financial... stalking," said Judith Klein-Pritchard.

We have some local domestic violence resources on our website.