For many, the holiday season is a time for celebration and excitement, but it is important to remember that holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day are also peak times for family violence-related incidents.
By the time the food has been eaten and presents opened this Christmas, there will have been approximately twice as many family violence assaults compared to other days in the year. There are a number of contributing factors, including stress, financial insecurity, and alcohol, which intersect and can exacerbate situations, leading to an increase in family violence.
According to Victoria Police figures, more than two-thirds of all assaults reported between Christmas and New Year’s Day last year were related to family violence, with police attending a family violence incident every five minutes.
December and January is often the busiest time of year for specialist family violence support services and according to Crime Statistics Agency and No to Violence Men’s Referral Service, figures show that:
- 67% of assaults on Christmas Day are family violence related
- 58% of assaults on New Year’s Eve are family violence related
- 65% of assaults on New Year’s Day are family violence related
Need support or help to support a colleague?
If you or someone in your team requires support, please have a look at the options available here.
Adjunct Professor Katrina Nankervis, Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery at Monash Health states that it is important to look after ourselves and others this holiday season.
“The increase in family violence incidents over the festive season is staggering. Everyone has the right to feel safe this holiday season and we can all play a part,” she says.
“Here at Monash Health we have several resources available to help assist employees in identifying and responding to patients you suspect may be experiencing family violence.”
Know and understand where to get support
Support for managers, employees, and patient-related secondary consults from the Family Violence team is available, along with:
- The examples of family violence and evidence-based risk factor flyers
- The Family Violence Flowchart – which provides a one-page, straightforward, step-by-step approach if you see signs of family violence or have a patient disclose family violence. Download the flowchart here.
- The family violence sensitive practice clinical guidelines available on PROMPT.
- The Family Violence: Managers’ Guide to Supporting our Employees is available on PROMPT.
- The employee coronavirus website.
You can learn more about our Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence on COVID employee website, the intranet, PROMPT or contact our family violence team directly via: familyviolenceeducation@monashhealth.org
Approved by: Adjunct Professor Katrina Nankervis