A Black Country domestic abuse lawyer has issued a stark warning that major football tournaments lead to a significant increase in domestic abuse incidents, as England's World Cup campaign begins.
Karen Gray, from Brierley Hill-based law firm Higgs LLP, emphasised that while football itself is not the problem, it can act as a trigger in households where abuse is already present.
Statistics Show Alarming Rise
Research by domestic abuse charities and support organisations consistently shows a rise in reported incidents during international football competitions. Statistics indicate a 26 per cent increase when England plays, rising to 38 per cent when the team loses.
Last week, charity Black Country Women's Aid confirmed it has been preparing support services for the expected surge in incidents over the coming weeks.
Lawyer's Warning
Karen Gray said: "The World Cup is an event which brings people and families together, cheering for their team to do well and experiencing the highs and lows of the game. Unfortunately, the tension created isn't limited to the football pitch. For many people in abusive relationships, major football competitions can add to their heightened fears and anxiety at the hands of their abusers."
She highlighted factors that can worsen abuse, including increased drinking, drug taking, and gambling addictions. "It's important that victims of domestic abuse know they are not alone during the next few weeks," she added.
Historical Data
The 38 per cent figure is based on a 2014 study examining intimate partner violence across three World Cup tournaments. Freedom of Information data published in 2022 reported that 26 UK police forces recorded 96,473 domestic abuse reports during the Euro 2020 tournament, an increase of almost 10 per cent on the previous month.
Karen concluded: "Football in itself is not the problem, but for some victims it can exacerbate it. It's another excuse used by abusers."
