HOUSTON – The holidays are supposed to be a happy time — but for some families, they make already-stretched relationships worse. In the Houston area, police often see more incidents of violence or abuse around holidays.

More people are together for longer, tensions run high, and stressors like money or alcohol can push unhealthy dynamics over the edge.

What does family violence look like?

Family violence isn’t just one thing. It can be physical, but it can also be emotional, sexual, financial, or a pattern of control and intimidation.

“Domestic violence is not just partner-to-partner violence, and so it really consists of any act of aggression within the family unit or people that even cohabitate together,” says licensed psychologist Dr. Staci Passe. “When there’s a child involved, we

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