holiday domestic violence

By Brooke Stevenson

    Two domestic violence arrests were made in Seymour on the same day this month with several more being reported throughout Sevier County.
    On Dec. 10 in Seymour a 31-year-old male resident of the 1300 block of Dupont was arrested for domestic violence and a 54-year-old male resident of the 350 block of Westmoreland were arrested for aggravated domestic assault.
     In Sevierville a 21-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman were arrested for domestic violence on Dec. 12, a 46-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault on Dec. 14 and a 41-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault on Dec. 14.
    In Pigeon Forge a 23-year-old woman was arrested for domestic assault on Dec. 12, and a 42-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault on Dec. 13.
    On average every year approximately 63,000 domestic violence incidents, including murder, assaults and sexual offenses occur in Tennessee.
    General family stress during the holidays increases domestic violence, according to research done by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Many incidents go unreported because people do not want to break up families during the holidays.
    People drinking more during the holidays can weaken the inhibition of an abusive partner, according to the same research.
    Economic stress increases overall stress in the family, which can increase violence and touch economic times make it less likely that someone will seek help to get out of a relationship.
    For those who seek help or answers with domestic violence contact, Child and Family Tennessee: Domestic Violence Program at www.child-family.org or call 534-7483, or Blount County Sheriff Department: Domestic Violence at 273-5004.