Social workers urged to look out for signs of domestic violence this festive season

Triple threat of world cup, cost of living crisis and Christmas
Woman with head in her hands

Published by Professional Social Work magazine

Domestic violence charities are warning of a triple threat this year as the combined forces of the World Cup, cost of living crisis and Christmas converge on families vulnerable to abuse.

Social workers are being asked to be mindful of the extra pressures and look for signs of abuse when visiting those considered at risk.

Around 20 per cent of all crimes recorded by police are domestic violence-related, with figures rising in the month of December.

The number of police-reported domestic abuse crimes in England and Wales rose by 7.7 per cent last year, and calls to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline rose 22 per cent.

Women's Aid, Refuge, the National Domestic Violence Helpline and local police forces are all calling on both professionals and wider family and friends to be vigilant in the run-up to Christmas, because of the extra pressures on potential victims this year.

Signs to watch out for include:

  • Jealously and possessiveness
  • Control over clothes, where to go or who to see
  • Control over finances, mobile devices or medication
  • Dramatic changes in mood
  • Pressure to do things someone doesn’t want to do

The warnings come as new research reveals domestic violence incidents increase by nearly 50 per cent after England win a World Cup game, with cases involving alcohol 18 per cent higher than normal.

Researchers at Warwick Business School found abuse increased by 47 per cent on the day England won a World Cup or European Championship match.

A paper published in Social Science and Medicine analysed a decade of crime statistics from West Midlands Police and results “provide a deeper understanding of the environments that could increase the likelihood of (domestic violence) manifesting itself in alcohol-related abuse.”

An England win can have a “substantial impact” on alcohol consumption which raises the chance of domestic abuse.

Women’s Aid have launched a new campaign He’s Coming Home to fight football-related domestic abuse. The drive focuses on the rise in domestic violence during footballing events.

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “There is a role to play for everyone in helping to end domestic abuse, and raising awareness of the support available during major tournaments like the World Cup can help many women living with abusive partners.”

Local police forces are also warning that abusers may try to use the cost-of-living crisis as an excuse to commit domestic violence offences.

External factors are often blamed as an excuse by perpetrators seeking to minimise their violent or abusive behaviour, according to Northamptonshire Police.

Detective Inspector Ashleigh Houlden from the Force’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “We hear all sorts of excuses from perpetrators to justify or minimise their abusive behaviour – blame shifting is really common.

“Many thousands of people in the county will be adversely affected by rising prices, but the vast majority won’t choose to resort to violence or use the financial situation to validate an increase in coercive control over their partner.

“Being an abuser is a choice. Using the cost-of-living crisis as a motive, or the results of a football tournament as an excuse to enact domestic violence is unacceptable and deplorable.”

National charity Refuge backs police awareness campaigns around the cost of living crisis. A spokesperson said: “Across the UK, many of us are struggling to fill our supermarket trolleys and are worried about rising energy bills. But the cost of living crisis shouldn’t cost women their lives. It’s up to us to make sure it never does. “

FACTBOX

  • Approximately 1 in 5 adults aged 16 years and over (10.4 million) have experienced domestic abuse
  • The number of police recorded domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales increased by 7.7 per cent to 910,980 in the year ending March 2022
  • The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) domestic abuse-related charging rate in England and Wales increased for the first time in four years to 72.7 per cent in the year ending March 2022
  • The National Domestic Abuse Helpline delivered 50,791 support sessions through phone call or live chat in the year ending March 2022

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     (Source: ONS)

If you need help or support, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or via their website nationaldahelpline.org.uk