IT’S a sad fact that Christmas and New Year not only bring joy and gladness but also a rise in the number of cases of domestic violence.

That long holiday and possible pressures over money may all heighten tensions. Unfortunately, too, in many homes, it’s not just this time of year where violence and abuse reign.

It would be a mistake to think that domestic violence could never affect you. I’ve been associated with Fortalice - Bolton’s own refuge for women and children fleeing domestic abuse – for many years and I can tell you it touches all kinds of families.

The dedicated staff deal with mentally and physically damaged women and traumatised children. Abuse for these victims doesn’t only mean violence – although it’s often part of the frightening equation – but also control.

One woman in her 60s had never been allowed by her husband to have her hair cut. He also checked shop receipts to ensure she’d been where she said and when. Isolating women from family and friends, only allowing them to watch TV programmes or do anything agreed by a husband or partner are often part of the same worrying cycle.

We tend to hear about the extreme cases of violence that end in tragedy, but there are many more involving women and children living in secluded daily hell thanks to a controlling man.

In the last 12 months, 107 women and 192 children were accommodated in Lewis House – Fortalice’s purpose-built Bolton refuge, staffed 24/7 and a secure haven. The average stay for these women and their children is 15 weeks but many have to stay much longer.

At Fortalice’s AGM last week, people there heard the moving story of just one young woman who went into Fortalice as a child after her mother finally left a violent situation. Her happiness and security at the refuge was heartwarming - but then her mum chose for them all to return to their dad, and the terrifying situation resumed.

Today, she’s a mother herself, a balanced and impressive young woman, happy to attest to the wonderful Fortalice services. Now, these services also include manning a support centre, training professionals and going into schools to teach children about healthy relationships.

Fortalice has grown up, and outward in its impressive work. But, over Christmas, it will be full – and start the New Year helping scores more women and children to find peace.