CHRISTMAS 2004 was one of the quietest on record for staff at Swindon Women's Refuge.
Police and other lifeline services normally dread the festive period when tempers are more likely to fray due to booze binges.
But according to Jenni Manners, manager of the centre, this was one of the most peaceful in three decades.
New Year was also quiet with just a handful of domestic violence victims needing a bed for the night.
Jenni, who has devoted 27 years to helping battered women and their children escape violent partners, said it was good news but stressed that there is still a lot of work to be done to drive figures down further.
"We are delighted that few women needed to come to us," she said.
"This has been one of the quietest festive periods that I can remember.
"But we can't read too much into it. We are still a very long way from ending the problem of domestic violence in Swindon."
On Christmas Day 2003 three families were comforted by staff.
This Christmas not one person needed help. In previous years the figures have been as high as five or six families. Data for New Year's Eve and Day are still being compiled, but Jenni said numbers were similar to a normal weekend.
"We normally take in two or three families over an average weekend and we didn't take in more than that," she said.
"I am sure some families had a bad Christmas but for whatever reason they didn't come to us."
Swindon Women's Refuge accommodates 170 to 200 people each year. It is estimated there will be about 11,000 domestic violence incidents in the town during 2005.
You can call the refuge on 01793 536447.
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