Domestic Abuse increases by nearly 50% when England Men’s football team play.

Lottie Sweeney
5 hours ago
3 min read

Over the World Cup season Citizens Advice Stevenage, in collaboration with SADA (Survivors Against Domestic Abuse), is raising awareness of the growing epidemic of domestic abuse across the UK.

With each tournament involving the England Men’s Football team, domestic abuse charities have seen an increase in reported domestic abuse. In the 2022 World Cup Domestic Abuse rose by nearly 50%, even when England won their games.

Then again, during the 2024 Euros, the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) reported a 40% spike in emergency protective orders – many coming in after significant matches with victims needing immediate protection.

When England Men’s football team loses, on average domestic abuse rises 38%. However, even when the men’s team wins, domestic abuse still increases by 26%.

During their lifetime 1 in 5 adults experience domestic abuse. In March 2024 an estimate of 2.3 million people were victims of domestic violence. It is estimated that a call about domestic abuse is made to the police every 30 seconds. The UK government has now recognised domestic abuse as a national emergency ¹.

In 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act was introduced, defining domestic abuse as any incident or pattern of abusive behaviour used by one person to control or harm another in an intimate or family relationship, this includes a current or former partner, spouse, or family member.

This behaviour consists of:

Physical or sexual abuse
Violent or threatening behaviour
Controlling or coercive behaviour
Economic abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse

“It does not matter whether the behaviour consists of a single incident or a course of conduct”

Domestic Abuse Act 2021

In 2014 the UK introduced Clare’s Law, which allows people to ask the police whether a current or former partner has a history of violent or abusive behaviour.

If you are concerned for yourself or someone you know, under Clare’s Law you have…

Right to Ask

Anyone can request information about a partner or ex‑partner if they fear risk of abuse.
Requests can also be made on behalf of someone else (e.g. family or friends).
Police decide whether disclosure is lawful, necessary, and proportionate.

Right to Know

Police may proactively disclose information if they believe someone is at risk, even without a request.
This can be triggered by police intelligence, investigations, or agency reports.

In an emergency please call 999

If you cannot speak, press 55 on a mobile to be connected to the police, or make a silent call from a landline and the operator will respond appropriately

If you would like to report an incident, or it is a non-emergency but you still need help, please contact 101 either via phone or online. This allows you to report domestic abuse, seek advice, or request a welfare check.

If you, or someone you know, needs help please feel free to reach out to Citizens Advice Stevenage on:

Citizens Advice Office Stevenage

https://www.castevenage.org.uk/get-advice

T: 0800 144 8848

Other agencies based in Stevenage and Hertfordshire that can help are: