As we go into the allegedly happiest day of the year, remember: domestic violence always increases during the holidays.

Alle interviewed: caring for self and community.

Though Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month takes place in October of every year, DV doesn’t end November 1st. “The holidays” are notorious for an excess of addictive behavior, forced family interaction; and depression due to our internal realities not measuring up to the external presentation of seemingly everyone else.

We must continue to have conversations about how domestic violence affects our communities and how a communities large and small can support victims and survivors.

How can people recognize signs of domestic abuse in their own relationship or that of their friends?

It is important to consider that many behaviors that will turn out later to be the classic signs of an abuser can come across, initially, as caring and chivalrous.

-Alle