Last updated on August 18th, 2015 at 01:43 pm
Sadly, what should be an exciting start to a summer of sport in the UK, Euro 2012 will only bring misery for some women, as statistics show that domestic violence increases significantly during football tournaments – especially when England are playing. BBC figures show that during the 2010 World Cup domestic violence reports increased by around 30% when England beat Slovenia and lost to Germany: the same sort of increase was shown during the 2006 World Cup. (Statistics show that, in general, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime.)
Whilst there seems to be no evidence showing that football causes domestic violence, it seems that issues such as alcohol, spending more time watching TV and with other friends – and spending more money – as well as differences in opinion about the result of a match might all lead to increased tension between couples and perhaps to violence.
Domestic abuse can be physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. Physical and sexual abuse are usually more easily recognisable, but the abuse can take many forms such as destructive criticism and verbal abuse; disrespect; harassment and checking up; lying; forcing a person to do things they don’t want to do; destroying possessions; pressure tactics, such as withholding money, denying access to friends, work, college etc.; threats, such as to take the children away; denial of the abuse and being nice in public.
Victims regularly find it difficult to accept that they are being abused and don’t look for help. It can be difficult to take that first brave step in telling someone what is going on behind closed doors, but help is out there.
Whilst the first port of call for anyone suffering domestic abuse should be the police, Graysons WE can also help to protect victims and their children by quickly obtaining a very effective order (injunction) for example. ‘Non molestation orders’ deal with violence or threatened violence; harassment; pestering or instructing; or encouraging anyone else to do these things. Breaching these orders is a criminal offence, meaning that the perpetrator can be arrested. ‘Occupation orders’ can order the perpetrator to move out of the family home and not to return or even go within a certain distance of it.
So, please don’t suffer in silence. If you are affected by any issue relating to domestic violence – during Euro 2012 or not – please call our experienced team of lawyers on 0800 048 0766 or email family@graysons.co.uk. We can help you quickly and discretely. Public funding may be available to help cover the cost of applying for an injunction.
Read more about domestic violence and how we can help here.
