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16 October 2006
A new report published today found strong links between major football matches, alcohol consumption and domestic violence.
The findings in the report - Lessons Learned from the Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaigns 2006 - back up other research linking big football and rugby matches to an upswing in reports of domestic violence.
Research for the report involved 19 police forces across England and Wales, and stretched across two campaigns - one that ran in February and March, and another in June and July.
Based on its findings, the government has invited football and sporting groups to join with it and 70 corporations in tackling domestic abuse as part of the UK Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence.
Basic findings call for action
The report found that:
- police need to be more aware of the connection between sport and domestic abuse when they make their plans before major events such as World Cup and Championship matches
- nearly half (40%) of all suspects in domestic abuse cases were drunk at the time of the crime
- reports of domestic abuse increase by nearly a third (30%) on England match days
Innovative tactics make a difference
The report found that the use of creative techniques can save lives when domestic violence is involved. As part of the research for the report, police used devices such as body-mounted cameras, or installed covert cameras in victims' homes. These actions resulted in a number of arrests, and helped save lives, the report says.
Police actions that helped included:
- providing specialised training for officers
- using cameras to document police actions when dealing with offenders
- dedicating a patrol unit to handling domestic violence during sporting events
- marketing the domestic violence helpline number on bus tickets that can be easily kept by victims
A 'cowardly crime'
Baroness Scotland said the study was encouraging, as it found that police had success at protecting victims and bringing offenders to justice when they used innovative techniques.
'Domestic violence is a cowardly crime that will affect one in four women during their lifetime, and, on average, claims the lives of two women each week,' she said. 'Incidents of domestic abuse take place every day, perpetrated by offenders from all sections of society. We want to make sure that those suffering behind closed doors have the confidence to come forward, and get the support and protection that they so badly need.'
Deputy Chief Constable Brian Moore of Surrey Police said the problem was not football, but those who used it as an excuse for violent behaviour.
'This is not the fault of football - this is the fault of violent people taking any excuse to be abusive,' Moore said. 'The playing and broadcasting of England matches do not in themselves cause people to become violent, and there can be no blame attached to the footballing community.'
An expensive crime
Domestic violence costs the UK economy an estimated £3bn each year. The UK Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence aims to raise awareness of domestic violence, and to reduce its occurrence.
