Call for people living through abuse to stay connected despite earlier nights
There are fears the earlier nights could see people stay at home more and become isolated from their support networks
A domestic abuse charity in Wiltshire is encouraging people living through abuse to reach out for support as the nights draw in earlier.
With the clocks going back an hour, and the days getting shorter, there are worries that people surviving abuse may become isolated from their support networks by staying at home more.
FearFree CEO Debbie Beadle said the shorter days have an impact on people suffering from abuse that is often forgotten.
"It poses a risk because it is darker in areas where there may be risky areas, but also that feeling of people feeling safe so the perception of actually walking in darkness makes you feel more insecure than if you're in the light," she said.
Debbie added that it could now be the case that people are walking to or from work in the dark, which could lead to a heighted sense of danger.
She said people may stay at home to boost their sense of safety, but says it's crucial they don't end up cut off from their supporting friends and family. But Debbie told us there are many ways in which people can keep in touch.
Debbie said: "It is important during these tough winter months that you do reach out for support. FearFree has the Connecting You forum, which is an online forum for all survivors, which you can access on our website.
"Wiltshire has the walk and talk group and they'll walk around the community, there are also other things like book clubs or groups, whether online or in person.
"But do reach out to get that company, make sure you're getting that interaction with others and have that safety net network around you."
She told us that friends and family also have a vital role, by reaching out to people we may be concerned about or have heard from for a while, saying it can make a huge difference.
And while it is crucial that people experience abuse reach out for help, there's also a call for people concerned about their behaviour to seek support and help to change.
Debbie said: "There are programmes out there for people who start recognising 'actually I'm feeling more angry' or 'I'm feeling that I'm directing my anger towards others."
The charity runs its own behaviour change programme to help people understand their behaviour and work towards changing it, so their risk to others and themselves is reduced.