MEDIA STATEMENT:
16 December 05
KEEP THE CHEER IN XMAS THIS YEAR
Christmas is an expensive time.
Unfortunately for many the cost is emotional, psychological and physical.
Dave Ryan, District Family Violence Manager for the North Shore, Waitakere and Rodney district, said today that Christmas time is the busiest time of year for agencies dealing with the casualties of domestic violence.
Over the December and January period last year there were 512 incidents of family violence recorded in the North Shore, Waitakere, Rodney Police District.
When considering that only 15 to 18 percent of all incidents are reported to police, one soon gets an indication of the extent of family violence within the home, Senior Sergeant Ryan said.
"In the incidents attended by Police, arguments occurred over money, relationships ending, access to children, relatives visiting and any number of other issues. Some of these arguments escalated to physical violence, causing injury to victims, distress and confusion to children and arrest of offenders."
"Additionally, we know that more incidents of domestic violence involving alcohol occur during the Christmas period than any other time of the year," he said.
This year the Police would like to see you make it through Christmas safely, and avoid situations that have the potential to escalate.
We are providing you with some practical tips we hope will assist you in having a calm, happy and safe Christmas and New Year. These include the following.
• Set aside money to cover bills in January and February.
• Don't spend more on Christmas than you can afford. Christmas can be about spending time together as a family, not about buying expensive presents.
• Moderate your drinking - you don't need to drink to excess to have a good time.
• Don't drink and drive - arrange for transport home prior to going out.
• Take time out - if things become heated or stressful, go somewhere for a few hours to let things calm down.
• Talk to someone you trust – if you are feeling afraid or overwhelmed.
• Don't sweat the small stuff - minor problems can be resolved without arguments.
• If you share custody of children - come to an agreement before Christmas so that children get to spend time with each of you.
• Most importantly - if you have any fears for your own or your children's safety, contact the police immediately.
The dynamics surrounding family violence are complex, and permanent changes take a long term commitment.
We don’t expect to eliminate family violence with these few tips, but we do hope to make Christmas safer for families in our community.
Let's make it Christmas cheers this year, instead of Christmas tears.
ENDS:
Further Information;
Dave Ryan - Senior Sergeant
District Family Violence Manager
North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police
Telephone - 09-353-0577 / 0274-965-406