8 Elements That May Result in Family Violence
The holiday season is a time for family and friends to celebrate, give, and spread love and joy with each other. However, several factors such as COVID-19 can interfere with their abilities to enjoy the holidays as intended. As a result, domestic violence incidents may increase.
To best avoid suffering a domestic violence charge this holiday season, it will help you to understand the specific factors that may lead to the commission of this crime. By learning the information below, you can be more self-aware of your actions and better prevent a bad situation from getting worse.
The following elements may significantly increase the chances of a domestic violence incident occurring:
Excessive alcohol consumption: While data indicates that COVID-19 has led to excessive drinking, you must keep in mind that the holidays are no different. People often celebrate the season of peace and joy by partying and getting together with distant family relatives. As a result, increased alcohol consumption can result in poor judgment, heightened emotions, and violent behaviors.
Spending more time together: Although most Americans have already spent excessive amounts of time with their family due to COVID-19 restrictions, the holidays can make family and household members feel more “trapped” than ever. This is because people usually get days off work and school to celebrate the holidays, therefore they are not flooded with tasks and responsibilities during their vacation period.
Although this should be perceived as a good thing, the downside is that a lack of work and school-related duties can force people to spend excessive amounts of time with their family, resulting in arguments, tensions, and domestic violence incidents.
Holiday stress: Although the holidays are deemed “the most wonderful time of year,” this time of year is also perceived as the “season of giving.” For many families, however, it is difficult to live up to that standard. People must invest lots of time, money, energy, and resources to shop for their family and friends during the holiday season.
This year is especially challenging for people to bear the burdens of the holidays due to COVID-19. The pandemic has forced families to change their traditional holiday plans and limited how much giving they can do this season.
Financial pressure: The pandemic has put millions of people out of work. In April 2020, the US unemployment rate was 14.7%, which fortunately dropped to 6.7% in November 2020. However, numerous individuals and families have yet to receive their second round of stimulus checks and remain unemployed. As such, the pressure of buying gifts, hosting family gatherings, and helping people in need during the holiday season can push people to their breaking points.
Traveling for long periods of time: Road trips, long flights, and other forms of traveling are common during the holidays. Journeys can last for hours, and people may not handle that well. It can feel uncomfortable and irritating to be in enclosed spaces with the same people for long periods of time, and as a result, people may take their frustrations out on those around them.
Hosting family members from out of town: During this time of year, families host their relatives from different cities, states, and countries. While it is exciting to spend time with family members after such a long time, preparing for their stay can be stressful. Doing household chores, going grocery shopping, preparing bedrooms, and hosting guests is an overwhelming workload for many.
It can be especially draining for family members to host guests with who they don’t have the strongest, healthiest relationship. This is common in situations when one spouse dislikes their other spouse’s parents or siblings but must put on a “poker face” for the sake of the holidays.
Unrealistic expectations: The holiday season can cause people to form unreasonable expectations. Expecting the latest technology, finest jewelry, and best Christmas feast could only lead to disappointment and bring out the worst in people. For instance, one spouse may lash out at their other spouse for failing to cook a fancy holiday dinner or buy them the fancy watch they’ve been eyeing for months.
Isolation: Among the most common forms of domestic violence is isolation. With this in mind, COVID-19 has made it easier for alleged abusers to isolate reported victims from their friends and family, leaving them no way out. However, it is critical to remember that isolating people from their friends and family for abuse purposes should not be confused with isolating for safety purposes.
We would not be surprised if domestic violence charges alleging isolation and control increased this holiday season, as “victims” may mislabel their “abuser’s” isolation tactics as a crime instead of a safety precaution.
Derek Adame Is Your First Line of Defense
Derek Adame understands that the holidays can be the most sensitive and stressful time of year for many people. Arguments may escalate, tensions may worsen, and the idea of spending the holidays differently due to COVID-19 may drive people to make mistakes that don’t sit well with the criminal justice system. Not to mention, false domestic violence allegations (also called “family violence”) are all too common and may potentially increase during the holidays this year.
Whether you were falsely accused of family violence or not, we believe that no one should suffer life-altering criminal charges and irreversible damage to their reputation due to a criminal allegation. To us, you are innocent until proven guilty, therefore you will be treated as such accordingly.
If you are facing family violence charges in Denton, contact us at (972) 619-3167 right away. Your fight is our fight.