Christmas domestic violence warning

Police gearing up for the "casualties of Christmas violence" say money pressures and alcohol can wreck the spirit of the season for many families.

They said that for many families the cost of Christmas was "emotional, psychological and physical".

Senior Sergeant Dave Ryan, the police's district family violence manager for the North Shore, Waitakere and Rodney, said Christmas was the busiest time of year for agencies dealing with the casualties of domestic violence.

In December and January last year police were called to 512 reports of family violence around the North Shore and west Auckland.

"When considering only 15 to 18 per cent of all incidents are reported to police, one soon gets an indication of the extent of family violence within the home," he said.

Violence was fuelled by money, the end of relationships, access to children, visiting relatives and other issues, he said.

"Some of these arguments escalated to physical violence, causing injury to victims, distress and confusion to children and arrest of offenders.

"Additionally, we know more incidents of domestic violence involving alcohol occur during the Christmas period than any other time of the year," he said.

A North Shore mother separated from her husband and the victim of domestic violence, said the season "stretches people like rubber bands and they snap so easily".

The woman, who did not want to be named because she has young children, added: "It just focuses everybody's emotions. It heightens everything. It is all the hype and emotion that surrounds Christmas, birthdays and all those seemingly significant events. It becomes a war zone.

"I think at those times bad parents don't put themselves aside for their children. They just put their own needs first and don't really think in the kids' best interests," she said.

On top of that, alcohol and drugs produced an explosive mix, she said.

Mr Ryan said the police wanted people to make it through Christmas safely and avoid situations with the potential to escalate.

He said police tips to avoid the stress of the season included:
* Setting aside money to cover bills in January and February.
* Don't spend more on Christmas than you can afford. Christmas was about spending time as a family, not expensive presents.
* Moderate alcohol intake -- drinking to excess is not needed to have a good time.
* Don't drink and drive.
* Take time out if things become heated or stressful. Go somewhere for a few hours to let things calm down.
* If custody of children is shared, come to an agreement before Christmas so children spend time with each parent.
* Most importantly, call police if there are fears over the safety of anyone.

"We don't expect to eliminate family violence with these few tips but we do hope to make Christmas safer for families," Mr Ryan said.

- NZPA