The Dangerous Connection between Domestic Violence and Football
Domestic abuse is one of the most devastating aspects of a relationship and can destroy lives in an instant. Over time, statistics and studies that have been conducted have shown that there is a direct connection between
domestic violence and football. It seems that when football matches take place there is a spike in all types of violence – most notably in hooliganism - but there is also a big increase in domestic violence. Police and women’s rights organisations have been
trying to fight the problem for a long time and they have developed new ways but the problem is far from solved. It will take a change in mindsets to fix the issue once and for all.
There are various sources that people quote when relaying information about domestic violence. The police and the UK Home Office are both good sources because the way that an increase can be measured is very easy. The police
measure the amount of calls they get before, during and after a certain event and see if there is an increase or a decrease. For the purpose of this analysis, the 2006 FIFA World Cup was examined. Police noted some disturbing statistics during the tournament.
These stats should not be taken as the final word on the matter, but a lot of authorities and sources have noticed a strong link between football and domestic violence. During the two months leading up to the World Cup the
average figure for calls reporting incidents of domestic violence in April and May was 275. But in the two months that followed, the number went up to 290 calls; this was during the tournament at the time. On three particular days the number of cases shot
up and reached 400; these were the days when England played Paraguay, there was another England match and the last day was when England were knocked out by Portugal. The figures seemed to indicate that during times when the team played poorly, the incidents
of spousal and domestic abuse increased significantly - almost 31 % on average.
Over the years there have been numerous academic researches that have been carried out that have shown a strong link between football and violence against a partner. The police figures and other studies measuring actual incidents
confirm the facts of the research. Some sources have dismissed the claim that it is football that causes the violence to soar. In actuality, they claim, it is alcohol which increases the likelihood of domestic abuse and the fact is that a lot more alcohol
is consumed on match days than other days.
The police have tried to come up with innovative ways to deal with the problem. They have compiled a list of repeat offenders and they have taken to sending them text messages before and after the game as a stark warning
that they should behave themselves when they go home. Another technique being used is that police officers will wear helmet cameras to capture actual incidents of violence when they enter a property and they can record the abuse taking place so it can be used
later in a court of law. Another more controversial technique being tried is to install secret video cameras in victim’s homes to surreptitiously record the abuse taking place and use the evidence against the perpetrator.
Even though these methods will go some way to decreasing the problem of domestic violence it will not change unless strict action is taken to change the mindset of the abuser. Football teams have in the past taken the right
initiative by wearing white ribbons to show their fans that they support the campaign against domestic violence. Footballers need to be role models and send the message out to their fans that abusing their partners is wrong and has to stop at all costs.
The figures for domestic violence on game days have slowly been creeping up over the last few years. It is time that this horrible behaviour is stopped and people respect each other and are able to live in a violence free
environment. Football has to be a catalyst for good, not for violence.
Tags: