Guildford charity raising awareness of increased sexual violence around Christmas
They tell us that it can also be a very difficult time for survivors of sexual harm.
A charity in Guildford is raising awareness of how sexual violence increases around Christmas time - and the support that people suffering can get.
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre in Guildford have told us that they get more people requesting their help around this time.
The charity tell us that the majority of sexual harm is carried out by someone known to the victim, so that can make family gatherings difficult, as it can bring people into direct contact with their abusers.
National statistics from Rape Crisis show that 1 in 2 rapes of women are carried out by a partner or spouse, and 6 in 7 rapes of women are carried out by someone they know.
They have also launched a Christmas Appeal - to raise awareness of the difficulties of the festive period and to ensure survivors are supported.
Kate Whittaker from the charity explained why sexual violence can get worse at Christmas: "There's lots of Christmas parties, lots of alcohol - people are more inhibited. One of the main reasons is the majority of rape and sexual assaults are carried out by someone known to the victim, so this could be a colleague or a family friend. In Christmas parties these people are often put together."
"If you come to us you will be believed. We always approach every person that comes to us from the point of view that we believe them. That's a really big thing for people who have experienced sexual harm, they don't report because they don't feel that they will be believed."
More information can be found out about the charity here.