Teesside domestic abuse charity expects rise in calls during Euros
The tournament starts later this week
We are hearing from a Teesside domestic abuse charity who are expecting a rising number of calls during the Euros.
The tournament starts later this week, but EVA Women's Aid in Redcar say they are there to help victims in any way possible.
Richinda Taylor, Chief Executive, said: "We know that sporting events can often generate increased numbers of domestic abuse incidents and what we do know, is that when England play domestic abuse incidents are likely to increase whether England win, lose or draw. We know they go up anyway.
"Although there may be increased drinking or increased drug taking or heightened emotions and excited during a tournament such as the Euros, it's actually perpetrators that are causing the abuse, not the sporting event.
"Our advice to women who think that they may be at high risk during the tournament would be to pick up the phone, come and see us and contact us in some way. A member of staff at EVA Women's Aid would be happy to speak to you about a safety plan, about what those issues are and how we can support you and how we can help you, or any of the other excellent organisations in this area would be happy to help somebody who wanted some advice and guidance on how to keep themselves safe during that time.
"There's a misconception that anybody who wants support from an organisation like EVA Women's Aid needs to be go into a refuge or some kind of safe house accommodation. That isn't the case. We're always happy to support women who need some guidance, some advice or some support.
"We're always happy to talk to someone who feels that they could do with that bit of support, or just to have that initial conversation to see if what they're experiencing is domestic abuse and what we can do that to support them. We're always happy to have contact from women who need some advice or guidance."