Domestic violence shelter full ahead of Christmas

Cheryll Hamid said Christmas can be a difficult time for victims of domestic abuse

A domestic violence shelter has told how it is full to capacity ahead of Christmas with both men and women fleeing abusive relationships.

The YMCA Together charity in Liverpool said its staff and volunteers were working tirelessly to ensure the families in its care have the best festive season possible.

However, it said domestic violence often flares over Christmas due to families coming together and increased drinking.

Cheryll Hamid, head of domestic abuse services at the charity, said some of its community accommodation could be extended over but its shelters were full.

Ms Hamid said the service had recently doubled the places it has for male victims who flee with their children from two to four - but the spaces were already full.

"For a long time domestic abuse has quite rightly focused on women being the victims because the majority of victims are women," she said.

'Ask for help'

"However males are also victims and it's really important to get that message out there that males can ask for help too, males can be victims of domestic abuse and there are services out there who can give you that support."

She said the service was working with the Paul Lavelle Foundation, a charity founded following the death of Mr Lavelle at the hands of his partner, to provide male specific support.

The majority of people using the service were, however, still women, including one mother who escaped a violent marriage.

The woman, who moved to the UK from overseas, said when she left her husband she felt alone and afraid.

"This space is very safe for me, because when I split with husband I was very scared," she said.

"How I can stay alone? how I can protect my children because I don't understand UK language?

"I was very scared but when I come to here they support me."

Ms Hamid said the shelter was hosting a Christmas buffet with karaoke and an "extravaganza" for the children, including Santa and elves.

The woman who fled her husband said she saw the fellow residents and staff as a "big family".

"I trust them, I'm happy now," she added.

"I can do by myself, I can protect my children now, I can set up my life again."