Domestic violence incidents increase around holidays

Joey, wendie woods tells me..

Domestic violence happens all year round.

But during the holiday season.... there tends to be an uptick in these cases..

And she is urging victims to not be afraid to reach out for help..

Domestic violence..... "it can last for years.."

Is an ongoing issue here in the state for both men and women.

According to national coalition against domestic violence..

In mississippi....39.7 percent of women and 31.7 percent of men... experience domestic violence from their partner, ranging from physical violence, sexual violence - even stalking... wendie woods of christian changes counseling and recovery center in starkville says these relationships can affect a victim's mental health.

Sot - wendie woods - ex.

Director/owner - christian changes counseling and recovery center "it can also impact the victim through posttraumatic stress disorder.

Nightmares fears of getting into addition of relationships inability to trust other people."

And with the holiday season upon us.... woods says stress plays a pivotal role in a lot of these cases..

Sot - wendie woods - ex.

Director/owner - christian changes counseling and recovery center ""it does rise around the holidays simply because holidays can bring about more stress.

In terms of family relationships and discord within families definitely more stress with financial burdens that that rise in the holiday season."

Reaching out can also be a fear for some domestic violence victims. sot - wendie woods - ex.

Director/owner - christian changes counseling and recovery center "it could be a fear of the perpetrator seeking vengeance or moving on to another relationship.

It could be fear that a new person might present themselves as a knight in shining armor.

And then turn around and betray that person's trust through violence again."

On cam bridge stand up and it was here on riviera road saturday night.

Oktibbeha county deputies responded to a person being struck by a car.

That victim was later identified as brittany philips who was later pronounced dead at och.

That suspect?

30 year old james heath kitchens.

---------------------------... --------------------- deputies say a domestic incident could have played a role in phillips' death.

However, they say this is an active investigation and there is still evidence to be examined.

If you feel like you are in a toxic relationship and may be worried about violence in your home, there is help.

You can go to wcbi dot come for a link