Alarming new figures show 145% increase in domestic abuse site visits over World Cup
Stop Domestic Abuse say they saw an 82% rise in calls around the Mexico game
Alarming new figures show a 145% increase in website visits to a Hampshire domestic abuse service around the World Cup.
Stop Domestic Abuse say they saw an 82% rise in calls around the Mexico game.
Claire Lambon's CEO of the charity.
She said: "I think we have to be really careful about drawing a simple cause and effect relationship between football and domestic abuse because football does not cause domestic abuse, perpetrators cause domestic abuse.
"Actually, it's men's international tournaments like the World Cup and the Euros where we see these massive spikes.
"We don't see the same spikes when it's the women's football, Euros, or World Cup.
"So this tournament actually also had several factors that we know will increase risk in households where abuse already exists.
"Firstly, matches were played very late in the evening, meaning people have been drinking for many hours before kick-off and continue drinking afterwards.
"Research consistently identifies alcohol as an aggravating factor in domestic abuse incidents.
"Pub opening hours during the tournament may have also contributed to longer periods of alcohol consumption and heightened tensions.
"Secondly, the emotional intensity of the tournament can't be overlooked.
"High stakes knockout matches, particularly those involving historic rivalries or strong emotional investment, create heightened emotions."
The charity saw an overall increase of 10% in calls for help from the day after the first game until five days after.
The Argentina game also saw a 61% increase in calls and a 34% increase in referrals during the period that followed the match and third place game against France.
She said: "These findings suggest that the level of risk isn't determined solely by how far England progresses through the tournament.
"Instead, risk appears to be influenced by a combination of interacting factors.
"This is including kick-off times, opportunities for alcohol consumption, the significance and emotional intensity of particular fixtures and events that occurred during the match itself, such as controversial incidents or changes in momentum."