The Andy Williams’ song, “Holiday Season” includes the gleeful, cheery refrain, “It’s the holiday season with the whoop-de-do and hickory dock…” What is the “whoop-de-do”, and what, especially, is the”hickory dock”?
For this post, I’ll tell you what the “hickory dock” is. It’s the unfortunate spike in domestic disturbances, commonly known as domestic violence, that also accompanies the holidays.
Photo by Taylor Lauren Barker
Attorney Matthew Maddox of New Canaan
Sadly, in the middle of all the parties, celebration and families coming together, every holiday season also produces friction and contemplation of another year-ended. These darker thoughts often provoke distress and discord between family members.
A great number of domestic disturbances can be prevented through education and professional intervention before things spin out of control. The State of Connecticut has a statute that we call the Family Violence Education Program. I’ve attached the Family Violence Education Program curriculum to this piece (click here to view).
There isn’t a single reader who can’t benefit from carefully considering this curriculum and the importance of every topic that it outlines. It provides a road map of issues and considerations, and most importantly, it presents opportunities to elevate your consciousness so that you can help yourself, your family, your friends and your neighbors.
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Darienite.com editor’s note: See also:
- Domestic Violence Crisis Center of Fairfield County
The Darien Police Department website has this list of resources:
- Domestic Violence Crisis Center Help Line (24 hrs.): (888) 774-2900
- DVCC Court Advocate (M-F): (203) 588-9100; Office at Stamford Court: (203) 965-5285
- Darien Department of Human Services (M-F): (203) 656-7328
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
- Sexual Assault Crisis Program (24 hrs.): Norwalk (203) 838-7303; Stamford (203) 329-2929
- Care-Line (Child Abuse): (800) 842-2288
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Domestic violence is a daunting and terrible problem in our communities. If you are in fear for yourself and need intervention, you certainly shouldn’t hesitate to contact police.
However, there are large numbers of people in our communities who have the ability and means to engage in prevention now; before a perceived emergency triggers a 911 call. Educate and elevate yourself and others this holiday season so that you, your family and friends can celebrate the “whoop-de-do” without the “hickory dock.”
Attorney Matthew Maddox has offices in New Canaan. His blog, which appears on his website and is available by email, is now a regular feature of Darienite.com.