LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The holidays can be a stressful time for many families. According to the Center for Women and Families in Louisville said there is an increase in domestic abuse around the holidays.

The Center for Women and Families helps survivors of domestic violence by providing shelter, counseling, legal and hospital advocacy.

“We are here to provide services to anyone who is in need, anyone who is impacted, anyone who has been subjected to domestic violence or intimate partner violence or sexual assault,” said Tammy Taylor, director of communications for the Center for Women and Families. 

Taylor said during the holiday season, there is an increase in domestic violence because perpetrators have greater access to their partner.

“We believe it’s because everyone’s home. You know, usually the typical day people are at work, they’re at school, and then they come home in the evenings or whenever their downtimes are. During the holidays, they’re all home for vacation,” she said.

There are also several stressors that Taylor said everyone deals with during the holiday season—but for abusers—Taylor said they use that stress as an excuse.

“We want to please our family. We want to buy presents. We want to have a great holiday season. We want to have the holidays that we read about, the holidays that we see on television,” she said.

According to Taylor, survivors might show some warning signs they are experiencing a violence with a partner.

“They may appear to be frightened of their partner. Frightened by their anger. Frightened to disagree with their partner. They may have bruises, and the reasons that they give may not line that with the type of injury that they receive,” she said.

The Center for Women and Families is open 24/7 for support.

Taylor said if an incident is occurring at home, the survivor should try to move to a room where they are less likely to get injured. She is also recommended survivors use a code word with someone they trust to show that they need help.