CHARITIES have warned women to vigilant against a rise in domestic abuse threats during the World Cup.
They were responding to Alcohol Action Ireland research that shows alcohol-fuelled domestic abuse incidents jumped after games.
Donegal women’s support group The Uplift Project’s clinical director Jessica Gallagher said: “Research consistently shows that domestic abuse incidents can increase around major sporting events, like the World Cup, particularly when alcohol consumption is involved and when emotions are heightened by wins, losses, or gambling-related stress.
“An abuser who already uses control, intimidation, or violence may become more volatile when combined with disappointment, alcohol misuse, financial pressures from betting, or the expectation that others will excuse their behaviour because they are ‘upset about the match’.”
Figures show that abuse can rise by 26% when a national team wins or draws World Cup matches and by 38% when they lose.
The FIFA World Cup kicked off last week.
Support group Action Aid Ireland’s chief Karol Balfe said: “Football should be a source of joy, community and celebration.
“Unfortunately, research shows that major sporting events can coincide with increases in domestic abuse and violence against women.
“While football does not cause violence, these events can intensify existing patterns of abusive behaviour and are often associated with alcohol.”
Similarly, domestic abuse charity Sonas, which helps 1,500 women and children every year, has called for heightened awareness and vigilance.
Sonas chief Fiona O’Malley said: “Major sporting events can create circumstances in which abusive behaviour intensifies, particularly where coercive control, alcohol consumption, emotional volatility, financial stress or pre-existing abusive dynamics already exist within relationships.
“We cannot ignore the growing body of evidence which suggests that major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup can coincide with spikes in domestic abuse incidents.”
She added: “Domestic violence is about power and control. No result on a pitch ever excuses intimidation, coercion, threats or violence in the home.”
Sonas can be reached for help on its domesticabuse.ie website and on its 1800 222 223 helpline number.
Uplift’s Jessica said: “For survivors living with coercive control or domestic abuse, a team losing a match may mean walking on eggshells.
“A missed penalty, a disappointing result, or an evening of heavy drinking can become the excuse for intimidation, threats, verbal abuse, property damage, or violence.
“The reality is that abuse is always a choice made by the person using it. The match didn’t cause it. The alcohol didn’t cause it. The loss didn’t cause it.
“However, these events can increase the risk faced by those already living in fear. So as the world comes together to enjoy the World Cup, let’s also remember anyone who may be dreading the final whistle.”
Independent expert Dr Marie Hainsworth.
Donegal-based independent domestic violence expert Dr Marie Hainsworth told the Donegal News: “It would be great to work collaboratively with establishments selling alcohol to run a campaign stating how sport and domestic abuse should not go together.
“Coercive control is often misunderstood as being situation-based and just one-off offences.
“It isn’t. Coercive control is about perpetrators needing to control every aspect of the victims life, the victim is literally held hostage to the whims of the perpetrator all of the time.
“It has been called domestic terrorism within the sector and for good reason. It includes monitoring everyday activities such as what shopping to buy, what time to go for a walk, always having to have [phone] location settings on so movements can be tracked, who they can meet, needing to be escorted to any appointments etc.
“It is 100% control over the victims’ movements and life choices. Coercive control is underpinned by fear – and the consequences of not abiding to this level of control are so severe that the victim dare not disobey.”