In spite of the Purple Ribbon campaign earlier this year to publicize domestic violence, local statistics paint a grim picture.
Community Based Victim Services in the Comox Valley dealt with more cases of sexual violence in the first three-quarters of this year than in all of 2010.
Incidents of domestic violence are also on track to exceed 2010 figures, Community Based Victim Services domestic violence worker Jennifer Woods and sexual violence worker Isobel McKinnon reported recently.
From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2011, Community Based Victim Services dealt with 101 adult domestic violence files — 90 female and 11 male. In the same period, there were 64 sexual violence files — 57 females and seven males. Twenty-one were adults, and 43 were younger than 18.
These numbers are not from Victoria or Nanaimo. Domestic and sexual violence is increasing right here in the Comox Valley.
Societal factors are among the causes, Woods said, noting the highest rate of domestic violence occurs on Super Bowl Sunday, especially in the United States. January is the worst month, she added, as people start arguing when the bills come in after Christmas.
Christmas itself, the happiest time of the year for many of us, causes extra stress among people trying to coping with unemployment, substance abuse, depression and/or the long-term effects of childhood traumas.
The societal expectation of yuletide good cheer can rub emotionally wounded people the wrong way, causing them to lash out — usually at whoever is closest to them.
The RCMP and the courts deal with the resulting violence, but we should be thankful for RCMP Victim Services and
Community Based Victim Services, too.
Let’s not forget the Salvation Army, food bank, Sonshine Club soup kitchen, Santa’s Workshop, Secret Santa and the many other volunteers who do their best to make Christmas better for others.
God bless you every one.
editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
