A CHARITY that helps survivors of domestic abuse says it will need extra help to manage a predicted 600 helpline calls on December 24 and 25

A spike in incidents of abuse reported to the police occurs each Christmas. Free-flowing booze, financial pressures and being cooped up inside all put an extra burden on relationships – making the festive period a particularly dangerous time for survivors. 

Advice-line manager for Solace Women’s Aid Asalet Tulaz said there would be more staff on duty “as we recognise the importance of the services being available for survivors when everything else is shut.”

Through a new film and campaign called #WomenWithNothing, the charity hopes to raise awareness on the struggles that female survivors face at Christmas.

Domestic-abuse survivor Farida escaped her partner on Christmas Eve, finding safety at a Solace refuge. 

Speaking about the abuse she faced, Farida said: “I was not allowed out and if I asked to, he would hit me on the mouth.”

She called the police and escaped the relationship. 

Domestic-abuse charities and services have faced devastating cuts at the hands of the Tory government. 

An estimated 21,084 referrals to all refuges in England were turned away in 2017-18 for lack of space or funding.

In the wake of the election last week, charity Refuge said it had received a huge influx in donations, with the public vowing to protect Britain’s most vulnerable.