With the FIFA World Cup now underway and England preparing to play their opening match, Women's Aid is using the tournament to draw attention to a deeply troubling issue: the rise in domestic abuse incidents linked to major football competitions.
The national domestic abuse charity has launched a new campaign, ‘The Other Kick Off’, which highlights an alternative "kick-off" time that thousands of women and children fear during major tournaments.
While England's opening World Cup match kicks off at 9pm, Women's Aid says another significant time is 11:37pm – the point at which abusive partners may be returning home after watching the match. The charity has chosen the time to represent what can be a particularly frightening period for women and children living with domestic abuse.
The new campaign is rooted in longstanding research from Lancaster University, which found that reports of domestic abuse increased by 38% when England lost a match and by 26% when they won or drew during previous World Cup tournaments.
One of Women's Aid's member organisations, The Dash Charity, also reported a worrying 79% rise in helpline calls and referrals during the 2021 Euros.
To be clear: football does not cause domestic abuse. Neither does drinking alcohol while watching a game. Only abusers are responsible for abuse. However, campaigners have long warned that the heightened emotions surrounding major sporting events can exacerbate existing abusive behaviour, increasing its frequency or severity.
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Speaking about the campaign, Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women's Aid, said: "The World Cup is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and cheer on our team. However, for women and children living with domestic abuse, 'kick-off' has a different meaning.
"For those living with abuse, the final whistle of the game signals the beginning of something frightening and potentially life-threatening. While we know that domestic abuse isn't caused by football, we also know that heightened emotions and alcohol consumption can lead to a rise in domestic abuse frequency and severity.
"Whether England wins, loses or draws, no woman or child should live in fear of that final whistle blow."
Women's Aid ambassador and broadcaster Charlie Webster added: "The World Cup is one of those rare moments when the whole country holds its breath together – united, hopeful, alive! That joy is real, and it's precious.
"But for women and children living with domestic abuse, tournament time brings something very different: heightened fear, and heightened danger. That is a reality we cannot look away from.
"Football is our game. It belongs to all of us, and it should be a place of safety."
Women's Aid says the campaign's 11:37pm ‘kick-off’ time was calculated using the estimated duration of England's opening match, including half-time and additional time, alongside time spent socialising after the game and travelling home.
The charity is encouraging anyone affected by domestic abuse, or concerned about a loved one, to visit its website for information, support and advice throughout the tournament.
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.
