The Correlations Between England Euro Football Matches and Domestic Abuse Rates
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
7/10/20244 min read
Between the whistle and the siren: The Impact of Football on Domestic Violence Rates
Over recent years, the links between the football seasons and rates in domestic violence have been subject to extensive research. Concerningly, many studies have highlighted a positive trend between domestic incidents and major football events. During, and immediately following football matches, statistical data marks a spike in reports of domestic violence.
This finding is nothing new, with Lancaster University reporting as far back as 2014 that domestic abuse incidents surged by 38% in the region when England lost in the World Cup, and 26% when they won or tied. Contributing factors stated often included perpetrators being in drink, and adversely reacting to the emotional rollercoaster that can result from a major football match. Unfortunately, cases have been on the rise each year, with 64 incidents being reported in 2002 - and, more recently - 99 incidents being reported in 2010.
Many of these incidents are often incited by men.
It’s a given that many men are passionate about their football–and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Men and boys grow up around the sport, and the community surrounding the teams they support often emulate familial ties. Football is a part of who they are, and how they live. This is not disputed. We further cannot criticise the normality of frustration that may be expressed with the unfavourable outcome of football matches.
It is when this frustration overflows into crimes of assault, actual bodily harm, and worse. This is what is considered to be a national emergency.
Over the past couple of years, I have worked as a legal assistant in Criminal Law. A number of the violent crimes cases involve a domestic element, and my reflections remain consistent–did this person actually believe they were justified in committing violence against their partner, and if so, what kind of community lets this happen?
Psychological and Sociological Perspectives on Domestic Abuse Linked to Football Matches
To better understand the correlation, a holistic approach into behavioural psychology is needed. Stress can be a contributing factor to aggression, which can lead to abuse. Socioculturally, the driving forces behind Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can be control issues, and a need for power. (You can read more on aggression here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448073/)
In sociology, it is noted that there is a disturbing normalisation of aggressive behaviours in football culture. “Hooliganism” has become a household name alongside the sport over the years, and despite this cause for concern, I’ve observed that such normalisation falls under the “boys will be boys” attitude.
These factors, along with England’s notoriously famous binge-drinking culture, all add fire to the flame for individuals with aggressive predispositions. An antidote for stress and catalyst for violence, alcohol is the perfect partner-in-crime. You only have to watch 10 minutes of Geordie Shore to see how prominent, and quintessentially British, the marriage between boozers and fighting really is.
The press shan’t get off lightly either. Their portrayal and dramatisation of football is crucial in shaping public behaviour. After a loss, social media trolling and sensationalist reporting are routine, and can amplify collective frustrations–potentially being the trigger point for violent behaviours. Desensitisation to violent behaviour may also factor in to this phenomenon, with repeated online exposure to an aggressive narrative normalising such behaviour in the “real world”.
The Law on Domestic Violence
Victims of domestic violence and abuse are better protected by new legislation in England and Wales. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 upholds the primary legislative framework of the matter. With an official definition now highlighted in written law, prosecutors and judges can impose stricter legal measures on offenders. The police also have more options in arresting, with coercive and controlling behaviour, and intentional strangulation, being specified as individual crimes.
Under the Crime and Security Act 2010, the police were entitled to use Domestic Violence Protections Orders (DVPOs) and Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs), which offer immediate protections to victims. A DVPN expires after 48 hours, so the issuing officer must apply to a Magistrates Court for a DVPO (under s 27 of the CSA 2010) which can then stay in place for a maximum of 28 days. Breach of this order risks the accused being remanded into custody.
Now, the Domestic Abuse Act has rolled out DAPNs/DAPOs. These allow for the victim of domestic violence to apply (without fees!) for such orders themselves through the family court, and expand the requirements to encompass all aspects of abuse, rather than ‘violence or threat of violence’. However, these are still being piloted, and are not yet being used on a national scale. So, for now, we are left with the current orders and notices, as well as the civil orders - Non-Molestation Orders (NMOs) and Occupation Orders (OOs).
Just quickly, NMOs and OOs are granted by the family courts. The courts can impose conditions such as non-contact and not to enter certain areas/regions for a specified period, and, if such orders are breached, the case goes off to the Criminal Courts. In such cases, a custodial sentence can be the ultimate consequence.
Charity campaigns have been proposed to specifically address the issue of sport-related domestic violence. This can be read here: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c722ywj35z7o)
Since 2022, the CPS has pledged that it is “working with partners” to tackle the issue. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find any links to exactly how they are doing this, and who they are working with.
The response framework for domestic violence heavily relies upon charity support services, including helplines and shelters. Organizations such as Refuge and Women’s Aid offer a great deal of specialised services to victims of domestic violence, ensuring they receive as much protection as possible. These charities offer safe houses (“refuges”) to women who are victims or domestic violence.
To find a refuge near you, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. This is completely free and confidential.