Not everyone is looking forward to the World Cup...

Many people in abusive relationships dread major footballing competitions like the World Cup. This is because they’re linked to an increase in incidents of domestic abuse.

Research by the University of Lancaster shows violent domestic abuse incidents increase by 38% when England loses football matches. Rates are also 26% higher when the team wins or draws.

Domestic abuse consists of a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviours, where one partner/person seeks to hold power and control over the other’s life. It is a gendered form of abuse, predominantly perpetrated by men against women, which can combine emotional, verbal, psychological, financial, sexual, or physical forms of violence.

The severity of domestic abuse can range from consistently critical comments and verbal belittling to physical violence, strangulation and rape.

For survivors of domestic abuse, international football tournaments are too often marked by anxious anticipation of violent incidents at home.

As Women’s Aid made clear during last year’s Euros: “Football doesn’t cause domestic abuse, but a big game can be the catalyst for increasing or more severe abuse”.

Domestic abuse can also be a workplace issue, and both trade unions and employers have a key responsibility to work together identify workers who may be experiencing domestic abuse in order to support them.

Information and support is available by contacting:

• Safeguarding Team – safeguarding@eastamb.nhs.uk or 01767 312573
• Women’s Aid helpline - 0808 2000 247
• MANKIND - 01823 334244.

For patients who have care and support needs, who experience domestic abuse, referrals via SPOC should be made or to the police via 101.

Published 24th November 2022