Booze and bad attitudes a recipe for holiday violence

Violent attacks routinely wipe away the joy of New Year's Eve fireworks in many households, fuelling calls for the breaking of bonds between alcohol and masculine stereotypes.

Data released on Thursday shows domestic-violence assault reports double on New Year's Day, exceeding any other date in NSW.

It reflects a national trend of domestic violence spiking on public holidays such as Christmas and Boxing Day, coinciding with increased alcohol and drug consumption during the festive season.

"For too many women and children, the men in their lives choose to make this period one of heightened fear and violence," No to Violence chief executive Phillip Ripper said.

"The greatest gift you can give someone you care about this Christmas is love and respect, which means seeking help if you use violence or have a drinking or drug problem.

"Men using violence and abuse need to take responsibility for their actions and not blame any other factors."

Our Watch said the combination of alcohol and support by some men for harmful gender stereotypes, sexism and disrespect towards women, needs to be addressed alongside changes to alcohol regulation and culture.

"We need to challenge harmful stereotypes about male drinking cultures and men needing to be aggressive and in control," chief executive Patty Kinnersly said.

"We need to improve alcohol regulation in ways that help change the relationship between alcohol, masculine stereotypes and violence."

The NSW data found "notable spikes" in domestic violence on Australia Day, Anzac Day and Christmas Day.

Victoria Police also warned of a spike in family violence over the holiday period, noting that the most common offences at Christmas were perpetrators breaching prevention orders.

But the busiest day for NSW Police was January 1, when domestic-violence-related assaults jumped 118 per cent and other assaults leapt 166 per cent above average.

"The early hours of New Year's Day are particularly concerning, with assaults peaking between midnight and 3am, reflecting the extended revelry of New Year's Eve," NSW crime statistics bureau executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said.

Domestic violence in particular soared by more than 60 per cent on Australia Day, with greater alcohol consumption, crowds and social gatherings attributed as higher risk factors.

Good Friday recorded the lowest increase compared with the median number of domestic violence incidents.

It is also the only public holiday where the rate of assaults, that are not family violence, do not go up or down.

But three days later on Easter Sunday, domestic violence attacks jumped by 44 per cent compared to their median.

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the data was "a devastating reminder of the urgent importance" for everyone to address domestic and family violence.

"If you think someone might be in trouble, don't stay silent - speak up," she said.

No to Violence, which runs the national Men's Referral Service, in May called for better-funded and expanded men's behaviour-change programs.

Several states have boosted funding in recent months, including a major budget lift in NSW after a spate of domestic violence-linked killings.

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