As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to warmth, family gatherings, and celebration. But for countless survivors of domestic violence, this time of year brings heightened fear and instability.

The reality is that domestic violence often escalates during the holidays. Financial stress, housing insecurity, and family pressures can intensify volatile situations. Survivors may feel trapped, especially when children, shared finances, or social expectations make it harder to leave. Abusive partners often use this season’s emphasis on “family unity” to further isolate survivors or discourage them from seeking help.

At La Casa de las Madres, we know that safety is more than just escaping violence, it’s rebuilding stability. Survivors who call us during the holidays are often facing compounding crises:

Losing income or housing after fleeing abuse
Struggling to find childcare while working or healing
Managing trauma and mental health needs while navigating complex systems

These are not individual failings; they are the result of systemic gaps that make safety a privilege, rather than a right.

That’s why La Casa provides not only immediate crisis intervention through our 24-hour hotlines and shelters, but also wraparound support, including counseling, advocacy, and access to long-term resources such as housing and employment assistance. Every call, every bed, every conversation is an opportunity to replace fear with agency and isolation with community.

As we gather with loved ones this season, we invite you to remember those who can’t, and to take action:

Share our hotline numbers to help someone find safety.
Donate to sustain emergency and long-term support for survivors.
Start conversations in your networks about the realities of domestic violence — because awareness is the first step toward change.

Together, we can make the holidays not just a time of celebration, but a season of compassion, safety, and hope.