As Euro 2024 fever sweeps the county, the Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Services are urging everyone to be extra vigilant for signs of domestic abuse and to help direct victims to support services.
Following the successful World Cup 2022 initiative that inspired football fans and clubs across the county to take action, the ‘Support #TheGoal to End Domestic Abuse’ campaign returns this June and July.
Led by Kent County Council, Medway Council and the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) and Medway Domestic Abuse Service (MDAS) partnership and involving a range of partners, the campaign encourages residents, businesses, and community groups to become informed about the crime and be able to direct people to safety. The Men’s Euro 2024 football championship presents a vital time to raise awareness, as England plays to win the title they narrowly missed in the 2021 final.
Football itself is not the cause of domestic abuse, but research shows that rates increase when England plays. Whatever the score, victims suffer. Cases increase by 38% when England loses a match and 26% when they win or draw.
Shareable resources have been developed, including social media posts and images, as well as printable posters that can be put up in venues, so that everyone can get behind the campaign.
The Euro 2024 focus is part of a wider awareness-raising initiative - ‘Know, See, Speak Out’ - led by the partnership since 2021, to encourage everyone to make it their business to learn about domestic abuse and be able to signpost those affected to support. The cost-of-living crisis is escalating the risk for those experiencing domestic abuse, with many facing financial constraints that make leaving their current situation harder.
"Laura" experienced domestic abuse at the hands of a new partner
“Noticing the abuse was a really gradual thing. It would be him picking fights out of nowhere. He made all sorts of accusations and blew up; then called me aggressive when I didn’t cower. He was financially abusive; he would borrow money and cause a big fuss when it was time to pay it back. He wanted to be in control of things. I contacted the police to do a Clare’s Law application, to see if he had a history of abuse. It came back with a lot! I don’t think I would have had the guts to report him and see it through if I hadn’t seen what he’d done before. It was actually quite empowering.”
Domestic abuse affects over 2.1 million people a year in England and Wales, which equates to 61,500 adults in Kent and Medway who may have been affected. 1 in 5 crimes reported to Kent Police are domestic abuse related.
Help is out there
Lee-Anne Farach, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of People at Medway Council, said: “There is no place for domestic abuse, and it is so important that we continue to raise awareness and make sure people know what support is on offer. Tackling this issue requires people to work together – from organisations being there to provide support and advice, to people speaking out when they don’t think something is right. I’m really pleased we are supporting this campaign, and I would urge anyone currently experiencing abuse to remember that they are not alone, and help is out there.”
Speak out against violence and abuse
Ben Watts, Kent County Council White Ribbon Ambassador says: “We have an urgent need to ensure that every person affected by domestic abuse in Kent and Medway knows that support is available to help them and how to access it. Domestic abuse can often go unnoticed and unreported, but we’re committed to changing this. Through the ‘Support the Goal: Know, See, Speak Out’ campaign we encourage everyone in our local communities, whether they’re a football fan or not, to be vigilant in recognising the signs and speak out against violence and abuse, and help direct victims to safety, particularly during this time when we know that domestic abuse can heighten and escalate”.
You can find information, resources and training webinars online, and can access specialist Domestic Abuse support through KIDAS or MDAS by calling Victim Support 0808 168 9111.
In an emergency, call the police on 999 (if you can’t speak, cough, or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone - the police will know it’s an emergency).