Why Does Domestic Violence Increase? 1. Financial Pressures: The expectation to purchase gifts, host gatherings, and meet holiday demands can strain finances, leading to heightened stress and potential conflicts within households. 2. Emotional Stress: The pressure to maintain a cheerful demeanor during the holidays can be emotionally taxing, especially for those in already strained relationships. This emotional burden can exacerbate tensions, increasing the risk of violence. 3. Alcohol and Substance Use: Holiday celebrations often involve increased alcohol consumption, which can impair judgment and lower inhibitions, potentially escalating domestic disputes into violence. 4. Isolation: During the holidays, regular routines are disrupted, and access to support networks may be limited. This isolation can make it more difficult for victims to seek help or find safe spaces away from their abusers. 5. Cultural and Social Expectations: The societal emphasis on family unity during the holidays can pressure individuals to conceal domestic issues, fearing stigma or the disruption of family traditions. This can lead to underreporting of abuse and a reluctance to seek assistance. Recent Trends and Data: Recent reports indicate a significant rise in domestic violence cases during the holiday season. For instance, in December 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service reported that 3,577 out of 6,446 cases involved domestic abuse-related crimes, marking an increase from previous years. What Can We Do? Know the Signs: It’s important to recognize when someone might be experiencing domestic violence. Pay attention to sudden changes in their behavior or signs of fear. Offer Help: If you suspect someone is in trouble, let them know they’re not alone. Offer to help them find resources or a safe place. Spread Awareness: Talk about domestic violence openly to break the stigma. The more people understand the issue, the more support victims can get. Resources for Help. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there are organizations that can help, even during the holidays. In the U.S., the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other local support centers and shelters also provide assistance. You can help survivors of domestic violence by connecting them with resources in your area or supporting a local nonprofit that provides related services. You can do this by: 1. Making a donation, 2. Volunteering your time, expertise, or assets, 3. Donating “wish list” items. A Safer Holiday Season. While the holiday season is intended to be a time of joy, it's important to recognize and address the factors that contribute to the increase in domestic violence during this period. By understanding these dynamics and promoting awareness, we can work towards creating a safer environment for all individuals, regardless of the season.

When most people think of Paris Hilton, they picture the glamorous socialite of The Simple Life. But Hilton’s teenage years were anything but glamorous. She has bravely come forward as a survivor of abuse in the troubled teen industry, shedding light on a dark reality that has been overlooked for far too long. Her courage is a wake-up call, demanding that we confront the systemic failures that have allowed such abuses to persist. Hilton, now 43 and a mother of two, testified this summer before the House Ways and Means Committee about the horrors she endured as a teenager at residential treatment facilities. She described being subjected to “parent-approved kidnapping,” force-fed medications, and sexual abuse by staff. Her testimony, first highlighted in her 2020 documentary This is Paris, reveals a disturbing industry rife with abuse, neglect, and unchecked power. Hilton’s willingness to revisit these painful memories has provided a platform for other survivors to share their stories, but for many, justice remains elusive. ​The troubled teen industry encompasses private youth programs, therapeutic boarding schools, and residential treatment centers, generating billions annually through public funding. Hilton’s story emphasizes the dangers of “tough love” programs that often cross the bounds of human decency. These facilities thrive on secrecy and the trust of desperate families who hope they are helping their children. Yet, the reality is often one of untrained staff, inhumane treatment, and inadequate oversight, leaving vulnerable teens to endure lasting trauma. Hilton also highlighted the barriers victims face when reporting abuse, as facilities frequently discredit complaints by labeling residents as untrustworthy. As an attorney representing victims of sexual and physical abuse in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I have witnessed the devastating impact of these programs on my clients. Many are placed in facilities through court orders or agencies like the Department of Human Services, only to suffer further harm. Institutions with long histories of abusive practices underscore the urgent need for reform. Despite publicized scandals and lawsuits, many facilities continue to operate under the guise of rehabilitation, exposing more teens to harm. The lack of meaningful oversight and accountability perpetuates a cycle of abuse that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including youth from foster care and low-income households.

​While prisons are commonly portrayed in the mainstream media and Hollywood as hotspots for inmate-on-inmate sexual and physical abuse, prison staff are also responsible for abusing inmates. A December 2022 bipartisan U.S. Senate report documented the sexual abuse of female inmates in federal prisons and the disproportionate number of sexual assaults female inmates face in comparison to their male counterparts. The report found that female inmates were abused in two-thirds of federal prisons over the past decade. This, of course, is just a snapshot of the prevalence of the systemic issue. These numbers are likely even higher because they don’t account for the very real fear of retaliation inmates experience, which causes them not to speak out, or the equally real concern that they will not be believed if the abuse is disclosed. ​Over the past few years, I learned a lot about this very troubling reality from one courageous former inmate of the state prison system who I had the privilege of representing. She entered the facility under extremely unfortunate circumstances related to a drug dependency she developed as a coping mechanism for dealing with a sick child. She entered the facility determined to overcome these obstacles but was met with unrelenting sexual and verbal assaults from a corrections officer. Even with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the facility did not prevent, detect, or stop the ongoing abuse for months on end. All the while, this client was threatened that she would be sent to solitary confinement if she reported the conduct and lived in great fear that her connection to this officer would prolong her prison stay.

As an attorney who has dedicated my career to advocating for victims of sexual abuse, I am deeply moved by the recent conviction of Upper East Side urologist Darius Paduch. This case is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that allow predators to exploit their positions of trust. Paduch’s conviction for sexually abusing male patients, including underage boys, brings some measure of justice to his victims and highlights the critical role of legal advocacy in these battles.Paduch, 55, was found guilty on all 13 counts related to his sexual abuse of eight patients, including six underage boys, between 2015 and 2019. The trial revealed the depths of his betrayal, as he misled his patients into believing that his abusive acts were medically necessary. Despite numerous complaints from both employees and patients, Paduch continued practicing without supervision, underscoring a disturbing lapse in institutional oversight.This case brings to mind the landmark verdicts against Dr. Stuart Copperman, a pediatrician whose abuse lasted several decades. I had the privilege of supporting over 100 survivors in these cases, guiding them through the legal process and helping them achieve significant verdicts, at this time, totaling over half a billion dollars. The parallels between these cases are striking and deeply troubling. In both instances, trusted medical professionals exploited their positions to commit heinous acts, and institutions failed to act on early warnings.The courage of Paduch’s survivors, much like those who came forward against Copperman, is a testament to the strength of survivors everywhere. Over 200 men have accused Paduch of molestation, revealing the staggering scope of his abuse. Their willingness to speak out has been instrumental in holding Paduch accountable and preventing further harm.As someone who has represented and continues to represent numerous survivors, I understand the profound impact these violations can have. It is crucial for survivors to know they are not alone and that justice can be pursued. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, please feel free to contact me today. As a former prosecutor and current litigator, I can walk you through all the steps necessary to obtain the justice you deserve.

At Anapol Weiss, a female majority-owned firm, we are dedicated to standing up for women who have suffered violent sexual abuse, particularly within the confines of their own homes. Our commitment goes beyond mere advocacy; we seek justice, protection, and lasting change for these survivors. This year marks a significant milestone with the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), enacted in 1994 with bipartisan support as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.VAWA was groundbreaking legislation that empowered the justice system with policies, training, and resources to confront domestic violence — a crime that for too long was viewed as a private issue and left unaddressed. With four revisions since its inception, VAWA continues to evolve, providing increased support and protection for victims.Statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reveal that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, a grim reality that underscores the need for continuous advocacy. Yet, misconceptions remain. The notion of “Why doesn’t she just leave?” persists, reflecting a profound misunderstanding of the complexities of domestic abuse. Leaving is often met with escalated violence — sometimes fatal — showcasing the grave danger victims face when attempting to break free.At Anapol Weiss, we work to dispel these myths and help transform how domestic violence is viewed and handled. By addressing these misconceptions, we aim to reshape what has traditionally been considered a “private matter” into a recognized, public concern that requires collective action. While we honor this 30-year milestone, we are fully committed to the ongoing fight for the justice, safety, and respect that every survivor deserves.

In recent months, the headlines have been filled with jaw-dropping accounts of the sexual assault and trafficking lawsuits brought against music mogul and rapper Sean “P Diddy” Combs. There are five different lawsuits pending against him brought by women and one man in the state of New York stemming from alleged acts of abuse that occurred over the span of three decades.If these acts took place so long ago, why did these victims come forward around the same time? How were their claims considered timely when only adult victims abused after 2019 have up to 20 years to bring suit under the most recent amendment to New York’s statute of limitations. The answer to these important questions – The Adult Survivors Act, New York State Senate Bill. S.66A/A.648A.New York’s Adult Survivors Act created a one-year “look back” or “revival” window from November 24, 2022 to November 24, 2023. During that time, survivors assaulted when they were over the age of eighteen could sue their abusers regardless of when the abuse occurred. This Act was a victory for survivors who were not in an emotional place to come forward within the three-year statute of limitations that New York affords to adults abused prior to 2019. This legislation, like other laws being enacted throughout the country, considered the harsh reality that it can take many years for survivors to come to terms with their trauma, disclose it, and move to hold the institutions and perpetrators that failed them responsible, particularly where the victim is experiencing commonplace feelings of shame and retaliation.Fortunately, a similar lookback window for survivors of otherwise time-barred childhood sexual abuse claims went into effect under New York’s Child Victims Act from August 14, 2019 to August 14, 2021, and was met with the filing of more than eight hundred lawsuits. Other states have also enacted look-back windows. New Jersey, for example, had a two-year window in place from December 2019 to December 2021.In Pennsylvania, the current statute of limitations bars many adult victims from bringing suit past the age of thirty. While the Keystone State has yet to enact a look-back window of its own, the “Pennsylvania Allow Retroactive Lawsuits for Childhood Sexual Abuse Amendment” may appear on your ballot this November as a potential constitutional amendment. The amendment would provide a two-year window for previously time-barred claims.