PSNI warn of seasonal rise in domestic violence

While all may be tinsel and treats for the vast majority, a significant number of local people will sadly find themselves in very distressing situations - particulary in relation to domestic violence.

Now, Ballymena PSNI Chief Inspector Stephen McAuley has appealed for those who might be struggling with the build up of pressure to contact one of the many potentially helpful services locally.

Speaking to the Times as Ballymena PSNI launched their Season’s Greetings initiative, he said: “The biggest unseen crime is domestic violence, there’s obviously a lot of stress and issues with families and individuals at this time of year.

“We do see an increase in domestic violence possibly even linked into the fact that people don’t go out as much as they used to and tension can build in the home very quickly.”

Chief Inspector McAuley said that there were avenues of assistance open to alleviate such situations.

“All these things can get on top of people but we would appeal for people to seek help from organisations that are out there. There are many good organisations for counselling. F

“For example, the Women’s Aid organisation are specialists on this kind of issue and they are always there to help those who are finding it difficult at this time of year.

“It is a sad truth that this is one of the areas where more information and education is definitely required. Unfortunately we will still finding ourselves having to intervene with some of those issues. “