Research has shown that in England and Wales, incidents of abuse increased by 38% when England lost and still 26% when they won.
Criminologist Doctor Stuart Kirby (a former police officer) had monitored police reports of domestic abuse during the last three World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010. Separate national research examining the 2010 World Cup supported Kirby findings with reports increasing by 27.7% when the England team won a game and 31.5% when they lost.
Essex Police have identified 117 high-risk and high-frequency perpetrators using intelligence drawn from domestic abuse data, risk assessments and football violence data. These individuals will be visited warned and monitored.
So what is the reason? Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh of Essex police has commented “There’s a mixture of factors that come together during a World Cup tournament; many people drink, there is the emotional stress of the game, and there is a whole issue around competitiveness and testosterone levels. Most people will watch the game and will never do anything violent but a small minority will become deeply aggressive and unpleasant”.
Essex Police have recently launched their biggest ever campaign against domestic abuse.
For confidential advice and guidance we have a large team of specialist domestic abuse and family solicitors, so get in touch with us today.