Police warn over domestic violence ahead of England #WorldCup match

An England fan watches the public broadcast at a Fan Fest zone. Picture: Gleb Garanich/Reuters

An England fan watches the public broadcast at a Fan Fest zone. Picture: Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Published Jun 18, 2018

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London - Police and

activists in Britain have issued warnings over domestic violence

ahead of England's first World Cup football match on Monday,

with evidence showing abuse levels spike when the national team

plays.

A number of forces across the country have joined the Give

Domestic Abuse the Red Card campaign, which provides support for

potential victims.

"For those who refuse to address their behaviour our message

is clear," said Anne-Marie Salwey, specialist crime

superintendent with the police force of Cleveland in northeast

England, in a statement.

"We will not tolerate domestic abuse and will take action

against anyone who uses physical or mental abuse to control,

coerce or harm a member of their family. Football can never be

the reason for domestic abuse and will be shown the red card."

Several police forces in Britain said they would deploy

extra forces to safeguard potential victims of abuse as England

prepared to take on Tunisia.

The most detailed research into the links between the World

Cup and domestic abuse found that violent incidents in

Lancashire in northeast England increased by 38 percent when the

national team lost and by 26 percent when they won.

Lancaster University criminologist Dr Stuart Kirby, a former

police officer, monitored police reports of domestic violence

during the last three World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

"Domestic abuse does not happen in a cultural vacuum," said

Katie Ghose, chief executive of domestic violence charity

Women's Aid, in a statement to the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"The sexist attitudes, chants and behaviour at football

matches encourage an environment in which women are belittled

and demeaned," she said.

"Together, we can send out the powerful message that

domestic abuse is always unacceptable and that there is no place

for violence in football whether on or off the pitch."

Thomson Reuters Foundation

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