Christmas is when friends and family come together, to give and share and celebrate the festive season but for some, it can be a miserable and lonely event.

For domestic abuse victims, living in fear is an everyday experience, but it is especially heightened by this time of year.

Domestic abuse can involve threats, violence or abuse and can happen between partners, within families or shared homes, and affects men and women in both straight and gay relationships.

It takes many forms including physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse and can result in victims being totally cut off from family and friends.

Figures show that on an average day over the last year police were notified of approximately 1400 incidents of which 14 were domestic abuse related. Over the Christmas period last year there were about 914 incidents per day, of which 28 related to domestic abuse and over the New Year period, there were about 1295 incidents per day, of which 50 were DV related.

These figures show a rise from an average day of one per cent of domestic abuse related incidents; to three per cent over Christmas and four per cent over New Year.

According to Victim Support, studies show that one in four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse during their life and on average a victim of domestic abuse will have been assaulted 35 times before contacting the police. Don't let this be you.

One victim of domestic abuse had made two previous attempts to leave her abusive partner before summoning the courage to finally leave for good in spring this year. This was done with the help of the police, Victim Support and a housing association who spent two months helping "Jane" to safely leave her partner. During this time, she was rehoused, kept safe at work and home and given the chance to become financially independent, safe, well and happy.

Chief Insp. Dave McCallum from the Public Protection Unit, said: "If you are a victim of domestic abuse, it is important that you tell someone. Often people are reluctant to report an abusive partner for a variety of reasons and can even start to think they themselves are to blame. However, it is not the victim's fault, no one asks or deserves to be abused by anyone, especially not by someone they love and care for.

"There are a number of support agencies available, along with the police, to help victims escape domestic abuse as well as giving them the confidence, support and advice they need to report offences and go to court."

'Don't be a victim this Christmas' - For more information on what to do if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse please see the helpline numbers below:

Victim Support Avonvale
0845 45 66 099

Victim Support Somerset
01460 555 35

Information and support for anyone affected by crime.

Bristol Domestic Abuse Forum www.bdaf.org.uk 0117 925 0680

National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247

A 24-hour freephone service for female victims provided in partnership by Refuge and Women’s Aid. (www.womensaid.org.uk and www.refuge.org.uk)

Men’s Advice Line 0808 801 0327

The Men's Advice Line helpline provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner. (www.mensadviceline.org.uk)

Broken Rainbow National Helpline 020 8539 9507

Provides services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic abuse.
Open 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm weekdays.

The Hide Out (www.thehideout.org.uk)
The Hideout provides help, information and support for children and young people – whether they are currently living with violence, experienced violence in the past or if they know someone else going through it and they are looking for help and information

Fact file:

• Research estimates that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
• Last year there were more than 14,500 recorded domestic abuse incidents in Avon and Somerset, making up 21 per cent of violent crime across the force.
• In Avon and Somerset, there are three Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in Bridgwater, Yeovil and Yate (South Gloucestershire) all equipped to deal with vulnerable victims and witnesses. The safe court environment away from the perpetrators includes separate entrances and waiting areas with uniformed officers present on the day. Specialist support is available throughout the court and justice process and staff dealing with DV victims and witnesses are given specialist DV awareness training.