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Wellington police are asking for a Christmas of cheer not fear and hope people will heed the message about domestic violence this holiday season.
Detective Sergeant Penny Gifford, police family violence coordinator, said today the festive season was not all fun and laughter as it usually coincided with an increase in domestic violence,
"Excessive alcohol consumption, increased opportunities for social get-togethers and stretched family finances add to the stress which is then vented on partners and children," she said. "Domestic violence is happening in all suburbs, it's not just a lower socio-economic issue."
Ms Gifford said Wellington police were already seeing more domestic related family violence incidents as Christmas approaches, with five reports a day on average.
- NZPA
