Domestic Violence Intervention Services Expect An Increase In Case Reports Over Christmas

With Christmas and the New Year bringing out joy for some, for others, the holidays can be a challenging time.

"With the upcoming holidays, you need to be aware that domestic violence doesn't stop," said Rose Turner, Vice President of Clinical Programs and Services.

Domestic Violence Intervention Services in Tulsa says domestic violence calls increase by about 5% in the two weeks following a holiday. Turner says there are many factors for that.

"There are different stressors associated with the holidays and sometimes people want to try to hold it together during the holidays and meet their ideas of what the holidays should look like," said Turner.

Turner says domestic violence is about power and control and things like finances and alcohol around the holidays can make things worse.

"I also want to be really clear that that does not cause domestic violence because that is all about power and control with the batterer," said Turner.

This all comes as DVIS reports Oklahoma is seeing the highest rates of domestic violence in the past 20 years.

With the pandemic worsening existing volatile family dynamics.

Turner encourages anybody in an abusive relationship to seek help or reach out to them and if you feel threatened, call 911 and if possible get out of the situation.

"We have a policy at DVIS that there's no wrong door," said Turner. "Even if it doesn't rise to the level of domestic violence, we want to provide them with resources to help them navigate safe and healthy relationships."

To get help, DVIS has a 24-hour information and crisis line at 918-743-5763.

You can also learn more information at https://dvis.org