Domestic Abuse charity says 'own your game' during Euro's
Reports of domestic abuse are known to rise during major football tournaments
Last updated 13th Jun 2024
A domestic abuse charity in the south west is asking us to 'own our game' during this summer's Euro's.
FearFree are also urging anyone who is suffering abuse - or indeed carrying out the abuse - to reach out for help, as that's the real game-changer.
Gareth Southgate's England are among the favourites for the tournament in Germany, which starts on Friday 14th June.
The Three Lions lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy.
FearFree CEO, Claire Marshall, told Greatest Hits Radio that reports of domestic abuse during major football tournaments can rise by as much as 40%.
"That depends on the match and on the location. There are lots of variables," Ms Marshall said.
She added that on matter the result on the pitch, it shouldn't lead to damaging a relationship with a partner.
"This is about you, your family and your long term relationships, so however important football may be to your life and whether it's, a pride and a passion, there's no excuse for harming anyone."
Ms Marshall believes alcohol plays a big role in abuse reports rising during major tournaments.
She said: "A lot of it comes from the highs and emotional lows of following your team and but definitely increased alcohol consumption of course increases violent behaviour or an uninhibited behaviour."
While the police will handle the bulk of the instant response to reports of abuse, services like FearFree are involved for the longer-term.
Ms Marshall is encouraging people in abusive relationships to take the first step in asking for help in breaking the cycle of abuse.
"If people do recognise that they have resorted to harmful behaviours before in their families that they see that within themselves and seek help and get support with that," she said.
Signs of domestic abuse include physical hurting someone, controlling someone else behaviour and scaring or threatening someone.
We'll be covering more aspects of domestic abuse throughout the tournament.