The risk of abuse taking place in a household across Lincolnshire and Newark increases through the summer holidays
It comes as we've seen hotter temperatures this week, which we're told could make a perpetrator more agitated
Last updated 11th Aug 2023
As the weather warms up and the summer holidays continue, we're hearing the likelihood of abuse taking place in a household across Lincolnshire and Newark increases.
It's thought the hotter temperatures could make a perpetrator more agitated.
Chloe from Boston Women's Aid and South Lincolnshire's Domestic Abuse Service also says the extra time together can have a "big impact":
"I feel that, when everyone's at home together, there's that added pressure. There's that added stress for families, taking time out of their normal daily routine to be together.
"And extra time together can make it more difficult to seek help. You know, the victim may not get as much time on their own to make phone calls or to talk to a charity like ourselves for advice. So yeah, we do feel that it has a big impact.
"I think the summer holidays highlight how difficult things may be at home, and when children go back to school, then the victim, whether that be the male or the female, have a little bit more time to try and get a plan into place."
She added that the weather can make a big difference to people's behaviour:
"In terms of the risk of abuse and the increased risk in the summer holidays, I think obviously, the heat plays a massive part in that; when the heat rises, we see short tempers within people, and also the other thing that's really important is the increased risk of abuse when alcohol is involved, and often people turn to alcohol when it's sunny and it's hot. Sometimes it can just be because they've got time off work, and things like that as well.
"So I think they're just sort of added factors into why there may be sort of that increase risk during the summer holidays."
Chloe says support will always be there:
"Our support doesn't have to be face to face; we can do text message support, we can do e-mail support... we will adapt the way that we support a victim, to best suit their needs.
"So if they say to us, you know, I really do still want support over the summer holidays, but I'm only going to be able to text or I'm only going to be able to e-mail, then you know we will try and overcome any barrier that we can.
"We are here for victims of domestic abuse and you know, that doesn't stop just because children are off school and it's the summer holidays. It's really important that people are aware of that."
The charity has recently launched its 'Sponsor a Room' project, which is looking to the local community and fundraisers to help support them, in the upkeep of the bedrooms in the Refuges.
The approximate cost to refurbish a room is ÂŁ1,600 which covers the cost of decoration, fitting each room with new bedroom furniture, updating fittings and in some cases replacing bedroom flooring.
To find out more visit Boston Women's Aid