Thanksgiving is known to be a holiday that brings families together. However, this is not the case in every household. On the contrary, in many families, the chances of being a victim of a crime perpetrated by a member of the family or an acquaintance rise more than 50% during the holiday (Crosstown, 2020).
This can happen because holidays frequently create gatherings that bring together motivated offenders and victims in a celebratory setting. In addition, at these gatherings, the consumption of alcohol may increase, which may affect the probability of excessive violence.
In fact, according to Science Direct (2003), there are significantly more complaints about domestic violence on Thanksgiving Day than on any other holiday. There are many variables that may affect the increase of the probability of being assaulted by a person you know.
The holiday season may represent a stressful time for many people, due to deadlines, strained finances, reuniting with individuals they don´t see often, and traveling long distances. All of these factors combined with alcohol consumption may lead to very dangerous or even deadly outcomes.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, surveys indicated that victims of violence reported that their assailants were under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 36% of these crimes.
On the other hand, there are fewer opportunities for instrumental crimes such as burglaries during Thanksgiving. This happens because of the decreased number of suitable targets (empty homes) and the increase of capable guardians, which may induce people to commit crimes in their households.
In summation, any tension between family members may increase during this holiday, and the circumstances may allow perpetrators to commit a crime, especially when it comes to domestic violence.
If you or a loved one find yourself in a troublesome situation with the law this holiday season, reaching out to an experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference. Having someone who understands the legal system on your side can make the process much smoother. Consider turning to Russell Spatz for help. He puts his clients and their needs first. Give him a call today at 305-442-0200.