Blow the whistle on domestic violence

This is an archived news story from June 2010

A campaign aimed at tackling domestic abuse in the run up and during this year’s World Cup has been launched.

It is being launched as research shows cases of domestic abuse increase by nearly 30 per cent on England match days* across Greater Manchester.

Domestic abuse victims in Salford, their friends and families as well as those committing the abuse are being urged to seek help and support in the run up to and during the World Cup.

Salford City Council is supporting the campaign along with the nine other Greater Manchester authorities, Greater Manchester Police, the Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse helpline and Greater Manchester Public Health Network.

Detective Chief Inspector Bill McGreavy from Greater Manchester Police’s Salford Division said: “Competitive tension, and increased alcohol consumption, can provoke abuse and violence at home. We want to urge victims, their friends and families not to wait, but to seek help and advice immediately before the abuse escalates.

“We will have specialist domestic abuse officers on duty at key times during the tournament to ensure that full support is available to those in need. Our partner agencies also provide valuable help for victims.

“Offenders also need to be clear that the World Cup cannot be used as justification for any abusive behaviour. Support services are available for them to get help, but if they choose to become violent or abusive then we will arrest them and ensure that they are brought to justice. Our priority is to protect victims.”

A series of hard-hitting posters incorporating images of a football shirt, a remote control and a broken beer bottle will be displayed in locations such as hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and licensed premises, while adverts will run on buses across Greater Manchester.

Councillor David Lancaster, Salford City Council's lead member for community safety added: "Research shows that there has been a rise in domestic abuse cases during past sporting events like the World Cup.

"We don't want to take the fun out of the tournament but we do want people to think about their behaviour to encourage people to stay out of trouble and to help people who may be suffering from domestic abuse or violence.

"The campaign is about raising awareness of the help and support that's available to victims and no-one should feel like they have to suffer in silence."

Information cards will also be distributed providing domestic abuse victims, their friends and families and perpetrators with some key contact numbers for support services.

In addition, free World Cup wall planners are available. They warn heavy drinking mixed with group pressure and the emotion-charged atmosphere that major football events create can lead to people behaving out of character and turn minor incidents into violent confrontations are available.

They also contain all the fixtures, dates, times and venues allowing fans to keep a running record of how the competition is progressing.

They can be obtained through Neighbourhood Policing Teams, police station enquiry counters and are also being distributed by Manchester FA to all their members.

For more information about those services available to help stop domestic abuse, people can visit the End the Fear website.

Those responsible can also get help to stop by contacting the Respect Phoneline on 0845 122 8609.

Notes for editors

* This statistic is taken from the report entitled: ‘Lessons learned from domestic violence enforcement campaigns 2006 by the Police and Crime standards Directorate - Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers.

Key national statistics:

a victim can suffer from 35 attacks before the abuse is reported to the police
in the UK on average two women per week are killed by a current or former male partner
domestic Abuse accounts for 15 per cent of all violent incidents
one in four women and one in six men will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime with women at greater risk of repeat victimisation and serious injury
89 per cent of those suffering four or more incidents are women
one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute

Date published: Monday, 7 June 2010
Reference number: 10-2637

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