Given we're now in the thick of the Euros, with England set to play Switzerland this Saturday in the quarter-finals, it's an important time to highlight how, heartbreakingly, the link between football and domestic abuse still very much exists – which is why Women's Aid and House 337 have partnered on a new campaign, No More Years of Hurt.
The project seeks to highlight how violence against women is at an all-time high while funding for women's services is at an all-time low, and how past research by Lancaster University found a 38% rise in domestic abuse when England lose a match (and a 26% increase when they win or draw).
To be clear: football or consuming alcohol while watching a match does not cause violence. Only abusers cause abuse. But the signs indicating that existing abuse can grow in severity or become more frequent during big games is deeply worrying.
Speaking about the latest instalment of its award-winning He's Coming Home campaign (which has run for a decade now), Women's Aid detailed that it has produced a series of football scarves containing important messaging and has launched a fundraiser (which you can donate to here).
"The campaign features specially created classic football scarves imprinted with well-known football chants that have been subverted to highlight the domestic abuse emergency," the organisation explains. "The scarves are emblazoned with slogans [and] interwoven with some common misogynistic terms and sayings that perpetuate domestic abuse. The words are not immediately noticeable but become clearer and more recognisable the longer you look, reflecting how domestic abuse in our society is hiding in plain sight."
Speaking further about the new push to highlight awareness concerning domestic abuse during football season, Teresa Parker, Head of Media Brand & Relationships at Women’s Aid, told Cosmopolitan UK: "The most well-known statistic about football and domestic abuse is the study by Lancaster University showing that reports of domestic abuse can rise by up to 38% after big international football games, and this research relates to the World Cup in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
"While more research is needed, from speaking to women running local domestic abuse services in our national network, we know there is a very real impact – from being told how the TV is turned off during the Euros because it brings back too many memories for those living in refuges, to survivors having nightmares during international tournaments."
Parker also added that one of Women's Aid's member organisations, The Dash Charity, reported a worrying 79% rise in helpline calls and referrals at the time of the last Euros in 2021. "Calls to The Dash Charity are expected to spike during UEFA Euros 2024 and I Choose Freedom have told us they have seen a rise in referrals during the tournament this year, compared to before the Euros started," she noted.
On the flip side, says Parker, football can also play a really positive role in raising awareness, and challenging sexist and misogynist attitudes that underpin violence against women. "We are really proud to work with football organisations and clubs like Fulham FC in doing this, and to run awareness raising campaigns such as 'He's Coming Home' and our Euros campaign 'No More Years of Hurt' to use big footballing moments for good, as we know awareness literally can help save lives."
To get help for yourself or to learn how best to support someone else, Women's Aid can be reached by email, live chat (between 8am - 6pm on weekdays and 10am - 6pm on weekends) and runs a supportive online forum for survivors to chat and get advice. In an emergency, always call 999.
For help over the phone, there are plenty of other supportive organisations out there too:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123
Rights of Women advice lines, there are a range of services available
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
