Domestic abuse and the Euros
The Euros are a time for celebration, emotion, and excitement, encouraging a general sense of togetherness that unites most of the country. Many people across the UK, and other countries, enjoy the camaraderie of watching the football with their friends and family.
However, there is a darker side to these large-scale football events that impacts the mental health of vulnerable people in the UK.
According to new research, domestic abuse reports increase by 38% when England lose a match and 26% when they win or draw.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is a growing problem within the UK and according to the national centre for domestic violence one in five adults experience domestic abuse during their lifetime.
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, and/or violent behaviour towards someone else. Abusers can use tactics such as degradation, isolation, control, and intimidation to psychologically, emotionally, financially, and/or physically abuse someone.
Most commonly, we can see this in romantic couples but there are other relationships that experience domestic abuse, such as family members and carers. It is often hard to notice as many abusers wait until they are behind closed doors.
Domestic violence and abuse ripples through the community, affecting family members, children, friends, and impacting mental health on a serious level.
Men can fall victim to domestic abuse but often men are the perpetrators. According to Women's Aid, a woman is killed by her male partner or former partner every four days in the UK.
Links between domestic abuse and the Euros
The Euros is the final tournament organised by the union of European Football Association (UEFA) and consists of senior men's national teams across the continent. It is a time for commemoration, celebration, and anticipation for many people across Europe, and the world, but emotions can turn quickly from just the kick of a ball.
It is clear that there is a correlation between football matches and domestic violence and abuse.
Although the Euros do not directly cause domestic abuse, offences increase dramatically whilst big football events are played. It's important not to ignore these statistics, so victims feel supported, have a voice and to encourage them to use their voice.
Studies in recent years have also displayed similar results. Data highlighted by the West Mercia Police stated that the day after an England game domestic violence increased by 11% with the percentage dependent on the result.
Alcohol consumption
The Euros, and other large scale football events, encourage excessive drinking and for long periods of time which is known to incite antisocial, abusive, and violent behaviour and offences.
The World Health Organisation estimates that roughly 55% of domestic abuse perpetrators were drinking alcohol prior to assault.
When alcohol is involved, domestic abuse can become significantly more intense and severe. Alcohol effects our decision making, information processing, and self-regulation skills, meaning that abusers tend to be more violent without considering the consequences.
Heightened emotions
Football, like many other sports, is passionate and significantly emotional for many fans. The passion and dedication often encourages enjoyment and happiness, but occasionally can encourage despair and anger.
Pre-match expectations can be high and when the score doesn't go the way football fans want or expect, emotions can start to become intense. With negative emotions high, perpetrators may take this as the time to lash out at victims.
Police across the country have come forward to oppose the idea of excuses for domestic abuse perpetrators. Detective Inspector Ben Ferguson stated, “passionate support of any sport does not justify domestic abuse.”
Victim blaming
Often, abusers feel they are within their rights to be violent and abuse their victim. In an article from the Northamptonshire Police, Detective Inspector Kirk Pender-Harris stated that, “perpetrators commonly minimise or justify their abusive behaviour and shift the blame onto the victim.”
Perpetrators may see domestic abuse as the victim’s fault, expressing warped opinions, such as “they pushed me to it” or “they had it coming.” They distance themselves from all responsibility and use the excuses that the victim deserved it or pushed them to commit the abuse.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse
If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse there are a few things you can do to get yourself to safety. It is important to note that you do not need to wait for a crisis to find support:
- Getting in contact with your GP, a doctor, home visitor, or midwife.
- Most police stations have domestic violence units with specially trained officers, and you can also call 999 or 101 to report an incident.
- For women, you can call the free phone national domestic abuse helpline run by refuge on 0808 2000 247.
- For men, you can call men's advice line on 0808 8010 327.
For more information and contact details you can visit the NHS on www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/.
Source: Westfield Health Wisdom App