Campaign highlights increased levels of violence against women and girls during and after major sporting events

Daily Record

2 days ago

Recent statistics and reports from frontline services have shown that incidents of domestic abuse and gender-based violence spike around the time of significant sporting occasions.
Crimestoppers has launched a powerful new campaign to draw urgent attention to increased levels of violence against women and girls during and after major sporting events.
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Recent statistics and reports from frontline services have shown that incidents of domestic abuse and gender-based violence spike around the time of significant sporting occasions.
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During the 2024 UEFA European Championships, police in England and Wales recorded 351 football-related domestic abuse incidents, almost double the figure from the previous tournament.
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Lydia Patsalides, spokesperson for the charity Crimestoppers, said: "Sport should unite and inspire us, and for the most part it does.
"But we cannot ignore the well-documented rise in violence towards women and girls that coincides with major fixtures.
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"These are not isolated incidents - they represent a national issue that affects communities across the UK."
The new campaign encourages the Lanarkshire public to recognise the signs of violence and use Crimestoppers anonymous reporting service to speak up safely if they are concerned about someone's wellbeing.
Crimestoppers is also working with sporting bodies, law enforcement agencies and support charities to spread awareness, challenge harmful attitudes, and promote prevention strategies at every level.
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