Stop the suffering this Christmas

As the festive season gets underway, many of us are looking forward to enjoying quality time with the people we love, indulging in good food and sharing in the Christmas spirit, but not everyone is so lucky.

For many men, women and children who are the victims of domestic abuse, this Christmas will be just another day of living with fear, intimidation and violence.

That’s why Lincolnshire County Council is encouraging people to take the time to find out more about domestic abuse; helping them to spot the signs and provide the right support to victims.

Natalie White, from the Domestic Abuse team at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “At this time of year we naturally spend more time with our friends and family, giving us the opportunity to pick up on things we might otherwise miss in our busy day-to-day lives.

“Very often family members or close friends don’t even realise that a loved one is suffering. Some victims feel that they are to blame and will even go to extreme lengths to hide the abuse. That’s why it’s so important to use this quality time and find out if the people we care about are really okay.

“We know that people can find it difficult talking about domestic abuse. Knowing what to say and what advice to give is hard, especially when your natural reaction is to want to take them away from the person that’s hurting them.

“That’s why we’re urging people to take the time to find out more about domestic abuse, such as the warning signs to look out for, how to react and what practical advice to give.

“Ten minutes of your time could really be the best Christmas present someone receives this year.”

To prepare yourself for Christmas, and to find out how you could help someone suffering from domestic abuse, go to www.domesticabuselincolnshire.com