When Summer Isn’t Safe: The Hidden Rise of Domestic Violence in Warmer Months

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Child & Family Therapist | Founder, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

When we think of summer, we imagine freedom—sunshine, laughter, road trips, BBQs, beaches, and kids playing outside. But for far too many families, summer brings something

else: isolation, fear, and violence behind closed doors.

While some children are roasting marshmallows around the campfire, others are hiding under their beds, flinching at the sound of raised voices or footsteps in the hallway.

Domestic violence doesn’t take a vacation—and in fact, it often increases in the summer

months.

The Hidden Rise: What the Numbers Say

Studies have consistently shown a seasonal spike in domestic violence during the summer.

Factors contributing to this increase include:

• Children being home full-time and the added stress on caregivers

• Financial strain from childcare, vacations, and reduced work hours

• More alcohol and substance use in social settings

• Lack of routine and structure, which destabilizes already fragile family systems

• Isolation from professionals like teachers, coaches, and guidance counsellors

  
  

According to Stats Canada, police-reported family violence is significantly underreported,

and children and youth make up nearly 1 in 3 of all reported victims. In Nova Scotia alone,

thousands of children are living in homes where domestic violence is present.

And during the summer, those children often disappear from view.

The Silence of Summer: My Personal Story

When I was a child, summer didn’t feel safe.

I didn’t look forward to it.

For me, school wasn’t just about learning—it was a place of safety, a temporary reprieve from the chaos and fear at home. When summer hit, the routine I clung to vanished. No teachers. No guidance counsellors. No school breakfasts. No watchful adult eyes.

I would do anything to stay away from the house. I would hide out at friends’ places, pretend I

was invited for sleepovers, or disappear into quiet corners to stay off the radar. Because there were no professionals checking in, I was just a kid in crisis, unseen and unheard.

But I always knew…

Come September, things would shift.

As soon as I stepped into the guidance office or connected with a trusted teacher, they would see the fear, the signs, the pain. And almost like clockwork, within a few weeks, I’d be in a new foster home.

It wasn’t perfect. But it was safer.

What We Don’t See: Behaviour as Communication

If you’re noticing kids with big reactions, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, or clingy behaviour

this summer, it may not be “just summer brain.” It may be trauma in motion.

In play therapy and trauma work, we say:

“All behaviour is communication.”

A child who’s yelling, hitting, or melting down might not be “acting out.” They might be acting

from a nervous system that’s on high alert—trying to survive in a home that feels anything but safe.

Some warning signs might include:

• Hypervigilance or jumpiness

• Difficulty sleeping or constant fatigue

• Regression in behaviour (e.g., bedwetting, baby talk)

• Increased anxiety or separation fears

• Sudden anger or withdrawal

  
  

What You Can Do (Even if You’re Not a Therapist)

You don’t need to be a professional to make a difference. Here’s how you can help:

1. Pay Gentle Attention

If you notice a child who seems off, withdrawn, or reactive—trust your gut. Be present. Be

kind. You may be the only adult they feel safe around.

2. Create Safe Micro-Moments

Summer camps, sports, neighbours, and church programs can all offer small moments of

stability. Even short, positive interactions can provide a break from fear.

3. Validate Feelings Without Probing

You don’t need to ask invasive questions. Try:

“You seem like you’re holding a lot right now. I’m glad you’re here.”

“If you ever want to talk or need help, I’m someone you can trust.”

4. Be Trauma-Informed

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or neighbour—assume that some kids are carrying

invisible pain. Lead with patience, flexibility, and compassion.

5. Know the Resources

If you suspect abuse or violence, report it. It’s not interfering—it’s protecting.

Here are some key Nova Scotia supports:

• Child Protection Services Nova Scotia: 1-877-554-2272

• Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS): www.thans.ca

• Kids Help Phone (24/7): 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

• Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.: (902) 707-6844 Trauma-informed therapy for

children, youth, and families

Summer Shouldn’t Hurt

I share my story not for pity, but to shine a light on what so many kids experience quietly, while the world around them celebrates the sunshine.

If you are a survivor of childhood domestic violence, you’re not alone.

If you are a parent working to break cycles, you are courageous.

If you are a professional keeping your eyes open—thank you.

Let’s make sure the kids who are barely surviving summer find safety again—this season and beyond.

In truth and trauma-informed care,

Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Owner, Child & Family Therapist, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.