Football United - tackling domestic violence

The campaign from Women’s Aid – Football United Against Domestic Violence – aims to work with the football community to send a clear message that domestic violence is unacceptable. Polly Neate, Chief Executive at Women’s Aid, tells us more.

Football touches every community across the country reaching across age, distance, religion, ethnicity, and class. Football brings people together like nothing else: it gets people talking, builds a sense of community spirit, and unites us.

Domestic violence also exists in every community, destroying the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and children every year.

Because it’s usually going on behind closed doors, the problem is often hidden. It may be happening to our neighbours, our friends, or our family and we won’t know what to do or even that it’s happening.

Recently there have been studies which show a link between football and domestic violence. Police reports suggest incidents of domestic violence can increase by nearly 30% after an international football match.

Recent cases of domestic violence in the NFL, including the case of Ray Rice which has brought so much well-needed attention to the subject, have thrown a spotlight on how our own sports teams might deal with similar issues amongst players. And in turn the responsibilities powerful and glamourous sports brands have to be aware of to take a stand against sexism and violence.

We know that football doesn’t cause domestic violence and that it can be a huge power for good work in the community, which is why we launched the Football United Against Domestic Violence campaign.

We’re working with football clubs, organisations, players and fans to help raise awareness of domestic violence and the sexist attitudes that underpin abuse against women.

We want to enable the football community to speak out publicly against domestic violence in society, making football a place where perpetrators of domestic abuse are not welcome.

The campaign is calling out the sexist behaviour that can underpin violence towards women and girls, and giving members of the football community the tools to tackle it.

We’re working with clubs to educate young people about healthy relationships, to lead the way on challenging domestic violence where it exists.

We hope to build links between football clubs and our member specialist domestic violence services moving forward, so that the campaign has a positive legacy.

We are asking the footballing community to join with us to make a positive difference now to raise awareness and reduce the amount of domestic violence in the future.

Individuals can support the campaign by signing up for a season ticket to support the campaign, encouraging their club to get involved, or signing the Football United pledge.

We’re working with clubs across the country to find the best ways for them to support the campaign and tackle domestic violence in their communities.

Domestic violence won’t stop until society sends a clear message to perpetrators that their behaviour won’t be tolerated. It’s all of our responsibility to stand together and make it clear we don’t tolerate sexism and abuse.

It’s our responsibility to make sure that young people grow up knowing what a good relationship looks like, how to get it, and what behaviours are unacceptable.

To be role models for standing up to sexism, violence, control and abuse. This campaign provides football fans with a platform to unite and give domestic violence the red card for once and for all.

Read more on Football United and how to get involved.

Read more Sport and Recreation Alliance blogs.

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