Compared to the rest of the year, the holiday week usually generates fewer first-time calls from domestic violence victims and fewer people seeking shelter, said Jessica Butler, director of the Gateway Domestic Violence Center. “We think it’s because women are wanting to try to stay in their homes and create as normal of a holiday as they can,” Butler said. After the holiday, however, is when the Gainesville center begins to see an uptick in calls.
Help offered when holiday struggles mount
Hotlines available for domestic violence, mental health concerns