The Christmas/summer holidays can be a particularly dangerous time for employees impacted by family violence. A partner using coercive control may ramp up these behaviours when they are off work for the holidays and their partner is also home from work and more accessible to them. Opportunities to use the children to control and abuse partners or ex-partners can also make Christmas a particularly dangerous and stressful time.
If your organization will continue operating over the holidays, but many of your First Responders will be on leave, then consider letting staff know which First Responders will be available.
Whether or not you have a holiday shutdown, make sure to remind staff about family violence helplines that continue to operate 24/7 through the holidays, and that these helplines can provide information, practical support and referrals to local services or just a listening ear:
- Shine Helpline 0508-744-633 - www.2shine.org.nz
- Women’s Refuge Crisisline 0800 733 843 - www.womensrefuge.org.nz
- AreYouOK Family Violence Infoline 0800 456 450 - www.areyouok.org.nz
It’s also a great idea to remind people about the Women’s Refuge Shielded Site that can be accessed by clicking on the icon at the bottom of many business and government websites; people can access an online chat with Refuge crisisline workers 24/7, with no browsing history. The Shielded site website provides simple instructions on how to add the Shielded Site to your website if you haven’t done this already.