Incidents of domestic violence increase during the winter months

SPRINGFIELD, ILL (WICS/WRSP) — Over the past month, several small towns in central Illinois have seen an increase in domestic violence deaths.

This comes after a murder-suicide in both Moweaqua and Mattoon just weeks apart.

Newschannel 20 talked to several experts to see if an increase in domestic violence can happen during the colder months, and unfortunately, the answer is yes.

According to several domestic violence shelters in the area, the need for help in the winter months can increase, especially around the holidays.

For many of us, spending time with family during the holidays is a way to show love and appreciation to one another.

For some, however, it can be a nightmare.

“Going home for the holidays can be a very, very bad thing for those individuals,” said Angela Bertoni, CEO of Sojourn Shelter.

Illinois shelters said an increase in domestic violence incidents is common during the winter months for several reasons.

“Everybody wants to bring their family back over the holidays, so a lot of times, as we all know, when families get together, there’s fighting, and unfortunately, I think that’s accelerated in cases of domestic violence Bertoni said.

Not only that, but cold weather can make it difficult.

Bertoni said he has seen cases where individuals will sleep in their car or even on the streets during the warmer months, yet there is a risk of freezing in the winter.

“If you don’t have reliable transportation, that can often mean you could be stuck in your home and unable to escape domestic violence,” Bertoni said.

It can also be the added pressures families feel during the holidays.

“Stress plays a major factor in what happens in people’s homes,” said Ryan Huff, marketing and communications coordinator for Dove in Decatur.

“Both the abused person and the person causing harm may want their families to be together and at least try to present themselves to the extended family as a happy family,” said Vickie Smith, former CEO of IL. Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Bertoni said he also sees an increase in domestic violence cases in January once all the holidays are over.

Experts said, however, that more needs to be done to combat the rise in domestic violence cases.

“Our professionals who work in this field, law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, other social workers need to be better informed about what domestic violence is, because just leaving, as we always used to say, will not help unless there is a good plan, Smith said.

Smith added that domestic violence during the holidays has never been more common, but after COVID they’ve seen the trend increase over the years.

If you or a loved one needs help, please call a hotline.

Sojourn Shelter Hotline: (217) 726-5100

Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: (877) 863-6338

Dove Hotline: 217-423-2238

National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE