A Survivor’s Warning Ahead of the World Cup
A domestic abuse survivor, Katy Longhurst, has warned that the excitement surrounding major football tournaments is being exploited as a pretext for violence at home.
Research from Lancaster University indicates that reports of domestic abuse climb by 38 % when England loses, while a study from the University of Warwick shows a 47 % surge in alcohol‑related incidents after an England victory.
Rising Numbers During Tournaments
Sussex Police, which runs Operation Hope during such events, recorded a doubling of 999 calls linked to domestic violence in the 2022 World Cup, underscoring the heightened risk for vulnerable individuals.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Lewis stresses that football itself is not the cause; the perpetrator’s behaviour is the root problem and there is no excuse for abuse.
Breaking the Cycle
Longhurst explains that the change of routine during the World Cup can trap victims in abusive environments, making it harder for them to employ their usual escape strategies.
She urges victims to create a safety plan and to remember that the abuser, not the sport, bears responsibility, while also calling on the public to act as upstanders and seek help from police and council resources.