Football and violence against women

It is the World Cup, 2014. Tonight England played Italy and (spoiler alert) they lost. According to research published by Lancaster University this week, that means that incidents of domestic violence will increase by nearly 40% this evening, and 11% tomorrow. Women’s Aid Northern Ireland highlights “This doesn’t mean that football causes domestic violence – in the vast majority of cases, domestic violence will already be present in the relationship, whether that is in the form of psychological, financial, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. What events like the World Cup do is act as an excuse for perpetrators to commit physical violence, and lower their inhibitions so that the violence is more extreme.” Some police forces around the UK are adding extra officers to specifically combat increasing cases of domestic violence on the days that England are playing. That might help. What also would help is men standing up to other men when they see their friends becoming violent and abusive. Or challenging their mates when they see their wives, sisters or children, with suspicious injuries. Domestic violence is unacceptable, and ending violence against women is not a “women’s issue”, it is an issue for all of us.

For women who need help, contact: Freephone – 0808 2000 247 or http://refuge.org.uk

The White Ribbon Campaign is a campaign started by a group of men who want to stand up against domestic violence. If you want to join them go here: http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk

Women’s Aid England has also launched a new campaign, “Be a Hero Off the Pitch”, sending out a clear message that domestic violence is unacceptable. Working together with national footballing bodies, sports media, football clubs, the police, players and fans, they aim to challenge the sexist behaviour that can underpin violence towards women and girls. “We are asking the footballing community to join with us to make a positive difference now to raise awareness and reduce the amount of domestic violence in the future.” Join in and read more here: http://bit.ly/1ixH42L