Partners join together to blow the final whistle on domestic abuse during FIFA men’s World Cup 2022.

A joint campaign by Durham Police and Crime Commissioners Office, Durham County Council, Durham Constabulary and domestic abuse charity Harbour Support Services, leads the way on domestic abuse prevention during the FIFA men’s World Cup.

The World Cup coinciding with the festive period has brought up fears around increased levels of domestic abuse. From analysis of previous tournaments, it is estimated that World Cup matches involving England which take place on a weekend will most likely result in a greater level of demand of our policing services. This demand from domestic abuse incidents will also be paired with an increase in reports of alcohol related incidents and anti-social behaviour.

In previous tournaments reports of domestic abuse have been more frequent during weekends when the England team had matches. During the 2018 World Cup, reports of domestic related incidents reached a peak of 73 reports to Durham Constabulary in one day during one of England’s matches. This was an increase from a daily average of 51 domestic related incidents across County Durham and Darlington during July and August in 2017, a summer when the World Cup was not taking place.

Lesley Gibson, Chief Executive of Harbour Support Services, said “We are very pleased to be working alongside partners on this campaign, which will help to spread awareness of support is available to people across the local area.”

The campaign is aimed at perpetrators of domestic abuse and supporting them to recognise signs of inappropriate behaviour within themselves and the effect that this can have on their families. It will run from the 14th November and will be featured across County Durham and Darlington.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen said “This work is an excellent example of how partnership working can be used to educate and raise awareness of such an important topic on a wider scale. It has been so helpful that we have been able to work with domestic abuse charity Harbour, in order to make sure that the message that we get out is best placed to resonate with those who may be perpetrators of domestic abuse.

“Whilst we want everyone to enjoy the Christmas festivities, along with enjoying the FIFA men’s World Cup, we also need to make it clear that there is no excuse for inappropriate and violent behaviour across our community. We hope that this campaign helps to reduce the numbers of incidents across County Durham and Darlington during this period but we also want to ensure victims and perpetrators alike know where to get help when they need it.”

Cllr Alan Shield, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for equality and inclusion, said: “It is so important that we work closely with our partners to tackle domestic abuse, which can have a significant effect on families.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe and protected across County Durham. By working together, we can better support our communities and make sure everyone affected by domestic abuse receives the help and support they need.”

This year White Ribbon Day, which is the awareness day to end domestic abuse against women and girls in particular, falls on the same week as the start of the tournament on the 25th of November. White Ribbon is a national campaign encouraging everyone, especially men and boys, to make the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women. The promise can be made at https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/promise

If you are worried that you have or might hurt someone you care about, contact Harbour on 03000 20 25 25.

Harbour offers support to both victims and perpetrators of abuse. More information can be found at www.myharbour.org.uk.