Prior to the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, there was a campaign ran by domestic violence charity, Pathway Project, which aimed to raise awareness of abuse during major football tournaments.
The charity referenced research undertaken at Lancaster University in 2013, which found that during the World Cup’s in 2002, 2006 and 2010, that when England lost a match that there was a 38% rise in reported cases of domestic violence in the Lancaster area. When England won or drew a match, there was a 26% rise in the number of reported cases. Even the day after a match had taken place, there was an 11% rise in instances of domestic abuse.
The Police have considered ways to avoid increased reports of domestic violence during the World Cup and throughout the tournament officers have been specifically tasked to help victims of domestic abuse.
World Cup Domestic Abuse – What To Do
If you are a victim, or at risk of being a victim, of domestic violence here are several ways of how to be safe:
- Call 999 as soon as possible if there is any possible risk to personal safety or that of any children. The Police should also be called where there is any possibility of damage to a property. The damage may be occurring in the family home, which children can witness.
- Consider pressing criminal charges if there has been a criminal act.
- Do not be afraid to tell family and friends what is happening in order that they can support you. Domestic violence should not be a hidden crime.
- If you are a woman suffering domestic abuse, consider contacting Women’s Aid Integrated Services in Nottingham, who have a 24 hour / 7 day helpline (0808 8000 340). Women’s Aid deals with women’s personal safety issues and can provide advice on how to separate and give support. They can also arrange refuge accommodation in an emergency situation.
- If there are no criminal charges or bail conditions imposed by the Police, contact Nelsons’ Family Law team for advice regarding a non molestation order, to prevent violence, threats of violence or harassing and pestering and molesting behaviour, and/or an occupation order, to exclude someone from the family home, or prevent them from coming within a specified distance of it.
How Nelsons Can Help
If you require any assistance in respect of the issues raised above, or for any further information, please contact a member of our Family Law team in Derby, Leicester on Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via the online form.