Behind it all is the birth of Jesus Christ. Financial pressures combined with overindulgence in alcohol can lead to a darker side of Christmas. Senior Sergeant Geoff Reid said there are more incidents of disorderly behaviour as people drink more alcohol. The lead-up to Christmas is always very busy but when we start after Christmas all hell breaks loose. She says the days around December 25 are usually slower.
Women are very good at keeping families together.
Being abused The refuge is always available for women who were being abused, even if they only wanted to talk on the 24 hour phone-line, Mrs Hooper says. They can remain as anonymous as they wish. Sergeant Murray Johnston says incidents of family violence reported to police do not usually increase over December and January, but that may not be an indicator of how much is actually occurring. The Salvation Army had more requests for accommodation and food parcels after Christmas Day, Mrs Toki says. It usually happens more between Christmas and the New Year.