Hand Domestic Abuse a Red Card!

Hand Domestic Abuse a red card!

As feverish fans across the country watch the Euros filled with anxiety, so do some partners. For many partners and children across the globe, the start of a major football competition sparks terror and worry.

We all remember witnessing the upset that the Nation suffered in 2020 when England were moments away from lifting the trophy, but handed it to Italy on penalties. During what was already a tense environment, following the COVID-19 pandemic, this only made things worse. Now, there are fans across the country begging this years England team to make history.

The sad reality is that, statistically, domestic abuse reports increase by a devastating percentage. It has been reported that domestic abuse increases by 25% when England win a game and by 38% when England lose a game. Following the Euros in 2020, the country saw a 5% increase monthly on applications for protective orders.

This does not just affect partners, but children. During the World Cup in 2018, NSPCC child welfare calls in relation to domestic abuse increased by 33%.

Domestic abuse covers a range of behaviours, despite the historic stigma that domestic abuse “is only physical”. Domestic abuse includes emotional, psychological, financial, sexual and coercive control. The effect that domestic abuse has on children, by way of exposure, can be catastrophic and since the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, children that are exposed to domestic abuse are now considered victims.

Protecting yourself and your children from domestic abuse is more relevant at heightened times such as the Euros and with this years tournament reaching a worrying stage for fans, support is always available. There is no excuse for domestic abuse.

For immediate support with domestic abuse, there are a range of services available:-

1. Women's Aid - Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk)
2. National Domestic Abuse - Helpline 24/7 - Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk)
3. NSPCC - Donate to Charity Online | Give to NSPCC today | NSPCC

We are also readily available to assist with immediate protection from domestic abuse. For more information, please contact your nearest office or call our urgent out of hours line on 08000 320 999. Our offices are nowJ9 Safe Spaces.

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