Whilst there is much debate in the media about who is to blame for the recent spate of football violence during Euro 2016, at home the warnings are that domestic abuse incidents are likely to rise during the tournament.
Research shows that excessive alcohol consumption coupled with the heightened tensions leads to football fans taking their frustrations out on family members. In 2014, a criminologist at Lancaster University analysed the police reports of domestic violence during the World Cups of 2002, 2006 and 2010 and found a stark rise in abuse during the tournaments.
Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid has been running the campaign Football United Against Domestic Violence for over year. The organisation works with national footballing bodies, sports media, football clubs, the police, players and fans to send a clear message that domestic violence is always unacceptable.
Police forces across the country have used the start of Euro 16 as an opportunity to send out a clear message that domestic abuse will not be tolerated. Northumbria Police chose the tournament to launch its awareness raising campaign “let’s blow the whistle”. In West Yorkshire the police arrested over 400 alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse in the days leading up to the tournament. The Wakefield Express newspaper published statistics that there was a 33% increase in calls to 999 and 101 numbers to report domestic abuse following England’s opening match on Saturday 11th June.
In situations where the police do not take action, or if a victim of abuse does not wish to involve them, the family courts can grant injunctions to keep people safe from perpetrators.
The family court has a different burden of proof to the criminal courts. In order to obtain an injunction the applicant only has to show that on the balance of probabilities, they are at risk. The criminal court has to be satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that a perpetrator is guilty of a domestic violence offence.
Our family law team at Taylor&Emmet are experienced at dealing with issues surrounding domestic abuse. Legal aid is also available depending on individual circumstances get in touch to discuss your options.