The festive season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. But for many families, Christmas can also be a period of heightened stress, conflict and sadly, risk.
When domestic abuse or coercive control is involved, the Christmas holidays may become the most dangerous time instead of the happiest.
Solicitors will often see a rise in urgent applications for non-molestation orders and other family-court protections at this time of year.
Increased financial pressure, more time spent at home, and disrupted routines can all add up to an escalation in abusive behaviour.
In these situations, acting fast isn’t just important, it may be essential for someone’s physical and emotional safety.
Why Christmas Can Be a High-Risk Period
Christmas is stressful for anyone, but for people in delicate family situations, it’s even worse. Challenges that might feel manageable in everyday life can be even more intense during the holiday season:
- Arguments around child contact arrangements
- Increased alcohol or substance use
- Controlling partners restricting festive family contact
- Anxiety around money and gift-giving
- Forced proximity when people are not safe together
For victims and survivors, reaching out for help may feel harder due to fear of ruining Christmas for children, or because support services operate differently during the break.
This makes quick, professional legal support absolutely crucial.
The Role of Specialist Service Providers
When a court has issued a non-molestation order, prohibited steps order, or urgent child arrangements order, it must be served correctly and recorded accurately. Delays or mistakes can leave vulnerable people exposed.
Experienced, trained process servers can help make sure:
- Swift delivery of legal documents, even during evenings, weekends and holidays
- Discreet attendance to protect privacy and dignity
- Risk-aware practice with a focus on safety and de-escalation
- Clear evidence of service for the court to rely on
- Reliable communication with the instructing solicitor
There’s no room for uncertainty in protective legal action, and the right support helps the court’s orders take effect as fast as possible.
Supporting Solicitors and Families with Sensitivity
Domestic abuse cases don’t just need efficiency, they demand compassion. Every situation is different, and vulnerable clients may already feel overwhelmed or frightened, understandably so!
Trauma-informed handling ensures people are treated with respect while their safety remains the priority.
When solicitors have confidence that service is handled properly, they can focus fully on advising and protecting their client.
Ultimately, the goal is always to make sure families are safer, not just for Christmas, but moving forward into the New Year and beyond too.
Help Is Available Throughout the Festive Period
No one should feel alone or unprotected during the holidays. If you’re a solicitor handling urgent family matters, dependable support is available to make sure you can get documents served quickly and keep things moving at a key time.
For timely, compassionate assistance with essential process serving, call EJM Investigations on 01772 334700.