Merry Christmas to all
Thursday December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas to all

Thursday, December 24, 2009

I am having a well deserved, but short, break over Christmas. I have had fun blogging and tweeting in the last year. I just wish I had more time for it!

Thank you to my subscribers, colleagues, friends, members of the media and commentators for your wonderful help over the last year.

One of the highlights of my year was meeting other men who are also opposed to violence by men against women. Too often domestic violence is seen only as a women’s issue. Of course it’s not. We all have to take action to help our society, and especially our children, become safer.

It is time to pause and reflect what type of Christmas people might have. To quote Dickens: “It was the best of times and the worst of times.” For most of us, Christmas is a time of joy, some stress and boredom, but mainly joy – seeing the sheer delight of children amidst Christmas presents, and catching up with family members, and reflecting on the true message of Christmas.

For some people, Christmas is the loneliest of times. They have split up and are alone. They don’t have their kids with them. They are miserable, especially when they see the joy for everyone else. It can be very depressing. If you are one of those people, try and spend time at Christmas with people who love you- other family members or friends. If for some reason you are alone, and feel like doing something stupid on Christmas Day- DON’T. Call Lifeline instead: 13 1144.

For other people, Christmas is a nightmare of violence. Just think of the potent cocktail- an already violent relationship,throw in a bit of Christmas stress, add a bit of booze, max out the credit card, a dash of heat, give it all a shake- and voila! For some, Christmas is not a time of peace and thanksgiving, but a time of violence and danger. If you are in danger at Christmas and need help, don’t forget it is the job of police and ambulance officers to help. Call 000, or your local DV hotline (all except Tasmania are 24/7):

Qld: 1800 811 811 or TTY: 1800 812 225
NSW: 1800 656 463 or TTY: 1800 671 442
ACT: (02) 6280 0900
Victoria: 1800 015 188
Tasmania: Mon-Fri 9am-Midnight, weekends 4pm-midnight. Ph. (03) 6233 2529 1800 633 937 (North), 1800 608 122 (Statewide).
SA: 1800 800 098 or 1300 782 200
WA: Women: 1800 007 339 Men: 1800 000 599
NT: 1800 019 116

Stephen Page, Harrington Family Lawyers, Brisbane spage@harringtonfamilylawyers.com 61(7) 3221 9544
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