Our first ever Christmas Show!

Recorded right at Christmas time 2015 – Kate and DJ get serious about our new Burns + Paine Book Club.

DJ get’s all teary of a local {to him} story about rising domestic violence over Christmas.

STORY LINK HERE in the Geelong Advertiser. <- warning the comments are mostly awful.

 

Shocking figures reveal Geelong’s domestic violence shame at Christmas

December 23, 2015 9:40am

by Caroline SchelleGeelong AdvertiserFigures have revealed a massive spike in domestic violence ahead of Christmas.

THE number of people seeking help from domestic violence services in Geelong has more than doubled, with ­almost 250 referrals to one provider last month alone. Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault and Minerva Community Services have rec­orded dramatic increases in a need for their services.

Minerva Community Serv­ices received 245 referrals from police in November.

Last month’s figures were the highest amount recorded by the organisation, which provides high-security shelter and support for women and children.

Minerva’s acting chief executive Claire Yeatman said the number of referrals for the year was “staggering”.

“It’s the most we have ever seen for the Geelong region,” Ms Yeatman said.

She said three years ago the average was 100 referrals from police per month.

Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault had also rec­orded an increase in referrals this year.

Funded for 75 referrals each month, the centre received an average of 40 per week.

Safe Steps chief executive Annette Gillespie said women often prioritised their family but many who come forward suffered more extreme violence in the months before Christmas.“The frequency and severity of violence increases and women are more at risk of ­serious harm or death,” Ms Gillespie said.

The advocate for domestic violence ­victims said she was not surprised Geelong services were being flooded by women and children seeking help.

Finding accommodation for women who were fleeing violence was particularly diff­icult during the holiday season, she said.

It will also be a busy time of year for the police.

Leading Senior Constable Brendan Whitefield said factors such as alcohol and the rise in the use of the drug ice usually contributed to inc­reased family violence during the holidays.

“We had a recent discussion with a mother who was concerned about her kids and their request to see dad this time of year, but unfortunately with their situation it was not a safe option,” he said.

“It was a necessary thing that he not be on the scene for the safety and welfare of not only the children but of their mother as well.”

He said as a father, it was difficult to see and deal with cases such as that one.

“It is concerning as a parent. You think Christmas is about the kids but so are other times of the year and people make decisions in relation to their activity and their behaviour that affects a lot of people, in this case it’s little kids that suffer,” he said.

Then our team go on and on about the new Star Wars film The Force Awakens.

DJ has seen it three times to date – While Kate is objectifying Adam Driver.