TOPEKA (KSNT) – Domestic violence calls often climb as the holidays approach, and this year, two local law enforcement agencies tell us they’re already seeing that rise.
Around the holidays, stress, travel and financial pressures increase. Local law enforcement say domestic violence cases often rise along with them. 27 News asked Scott Sinsel with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) how the agency defines domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is any sort of crime committed against a person in a domestic relationship,” Sinsel said. “That also includes dating relationships, family members, people that just live together too. Incidents tend to escalate the longer that they aren’t addressed.”
Nationally, the spike is real. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, police interventions rise by about 20 percent in December compared to other months.
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Locally, the numbers line up and officers say abusers often use tactics like isolation to control victims, keeping them away from friends and family and making it harder to report incidents.
27 News also spoke with Riley County Police Department (RCPD) Director Brian Peete, who says he’s seeing the same seasonal pattern and feels the emotional intensity this time of year.
“Typically within law enforcement, domestic violence calls are normally the most stressful, and around the holidays, emotions get more charged,” Peete says. “Domestic violence calls typically do increase around the holiday times.”
Investigators say cases often escalate due to alcohol, financial stress and the overall tension the holidays bring.
“Domestic violence cases that I am assigned to tend to be a little bit more violent. And I notice that a lot in my cases that I work,” Sinsel Said.
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Peete emphasizes early intervention and seeking help before situations worsen.
“Domestic violence never gets better with time,” Peete says. “If you know anyone thats in a relationship and those relationships are trending towards anger, towards yelling, towards physical contact violence, get out of them. And if you don’t know how to get out of them, reach out to someone who does.”
Officers say help is available even discreetly. You can call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, contact the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, or text 911 if a phone call isn’t safe.
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