Wiltshire FA teams up with domestic abuse charity to tackle abuse
FearFree are calling for us to own our game
A domestic abuse charity in Wiltshire has teamed up with the county's Football Association to tackle domestic abuse.
It's part of FearFree's 'Own Your Game' campaign, which is aiming to make Euro 2024 the safest yet.
Football is sadly linked to domestic abuse increases during major football tournaments - with reports of abuse to Wiltshire Police known to increase by as much as 40%.
The campaign is encouraging both perpetrators seeking to change their behaviour and survivors to make the game changing step of reaching out for support.
Clubs across the county can get posters and stickers for their facilities from the FA.
Maria Nebbett is the FA's Safeguarding Officer and told GHR that safeguarding is embedded in everything they do.
"We're committed to making the game safe for everyone," she said.
Maria added: "Football has a huge influence and a huge reach, especially during the international competitions like the Euro's.
"With it's massive following it can shine a light on the important causes, which help us to raise awareness about the important issues such as domestic abuse."
Maria said the link between football and domestic abuse is 'unacceptable'.
"We don't tolerate abuse on the pitch and we won't tolerate it off the pitch either," she said.
The FA aims to instil the value of respect in the game and that this value shouldn't be forgotten off the pitch either.
"Demonstrating abusive behaviours or being unable to regulate emotions, which result in taking frustrations out on relatives or friends is just simply not acceptable.
"There is never an excuse for abuse so football match is not an excuse. An important tournament is also not an excuse.
"Disappointment, frustration, passion, emotion, they are all not excuses."