Divorces hit peak season

Divorces Hit Season Peak

TrueLocal data identifies the beginning of the year as a time for break ups

It’s the season for broken relationships according to data from consumer review and business listings website, TrueLocal.com.au.

Figures released by the website show a significant surge in couples searching for ‘divorce’ and ‘marriage counselling’ services on the site between January and March each year, with a particular surge in February.

The data shows:

• 46 per cent growth from December 2010 to January in 2011 for searches in marriage counselling services. This number grew another 16 percent in just four weeks, from January 2011 to February 2011
• An increase in searches for ‘divorce’ for the months of February and March 2011
• During February last year, there was a 73 percent increase in people searching for local escort agencies and 15 percent more searches for adult services. The peak sits the few days following Valentine’s Day.

TrueLocal community manager, Shae Marlow suggests that the TrueLocal data is indicative of a strong trend towards couples re-evaluating their relationships once the festive season is over.

“Our search data is telling us that this is the season for divorce and breakups. All over the place, seemingly happy celebrity couples are packing it in. Katy Perry and Russel Brand, Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard, Stephanie Rice and Quade Cooper, even Seal and Heidi Klum who renew their vows every year couldn’t hold it together.

“Based on our findings, you can make the assumption that couples try to give their relationship one last chance over the Christmas/New Year period. When this doesn’t work out, they seek the help of marriage counsellors in January, before reverting to divorce lawyers and even going as far as seeking company through escort agencies in February.”

According to Australian editor of AskMen, Jamie Watt, couples need to acknowledge the signs of when a relationship has run its course.

“There are signs to know when a relationship is over. When these signs become clear, it is time to admit it’s ended. The truth is you're actually hurting each other more by remaining together. It’s a tough decision to make, but it’s important that you are honest and open with your partner.

“If you're in an unhappy relationship and have tried absolutely everything to get it back on track, end it now, even if you're worried you'll have to spend New Year's or Valentine's Day alone.”

For married couples, Watt advises a re-discovery of that all-important spark.

“If you feel like your marriage has died, you need to ask yourself, have you tried absolutely everything to get it back on track? Seeking marriage counselling services definitely helps, and there are other strategies you can put in place to try and get the spark back. Simple things such as setting aside date nights again or approaching communication with each other differently are small steps you can take to re-ignite the spark.”