{"id":2049852,"date":"2026-07-18T09:59:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T06:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2049852"},"modified":"2026-07-18T09:59:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T06:59:34","slug":"domestic-abuse-the-harrowing-dark-side-of-englands-world-cup-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2049852","title":{"rendered":"Domestic abuse: The harrowing dark side of England&#8217;s World Cup exit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ssrcss-2fe4mx-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<header data-testid=\"headline\">\n<h1 id=\"main-heading\" class=\"ssrcss-8zqj65-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">The harrowing dark side of England&#8217;s World Cup exit<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-7u8164-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Domestic abuse rises by 26% when England play and by 38% when they lose, according to research by Lancaster University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"single-byline\" class=\"ssrcss-sevsa1-ContributorContainer ee66fvo3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dt4z-ContributorInfo ee66fvo0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-nsjd43-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Jane Dougall<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dqo7s5-ContributorDetails ee66fvo2\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1m5444d-Text ee66fvo4\">BBC Sport presenter<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T09:59:34.404Z\">4 hours ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">As the full-time whistle blew in Atlanta on Wednesday, signalling England&#8217;s exit from the World Cup, a wave of disappointment spread across the country. But for some, there was a very different emotion growing inside.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Domestic abuse rises by 26% when England play and by 38% when they lose, according to research by Lancaster University.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">During a major football tournament such as the World Cup, some women and girls are constantly living in fear.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Rebecca Goshawk, who works at domestic abuse charity Solace, was watching the semi-final against Argentina. &#8220;We know that there&#8217;ll be survivors and victims frightened of their partners coming home and worried about what that might mean for them and their safety,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;They&#8217;re being shouted at. They&#8217;re being belittled. They&#8217;re being told they&#8217;re useless. It can be as strong as physical violence against women, whether that&#8217;s being hit or kicked.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;For very few women will this be a one-off experience, because of a football tournament. It&#8217;ll be a pattern that they&#8217;re used to.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"300-domestic-abuse-offences-during-Euro-2024-\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">300 domestic abuse offences during Euro 2024  <\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Violence towards women and girls after football matches is a recurring issue. The National Police Chiefs&#8217; Council released data showing that more than 300 domestic abuse offences were reported to police during Euro 2024, where victims believed the perpetrator&#8217;s behaviour was linked to football.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Statistics covering the period involving the 2026 World Cup will not be available for some time, but Goshawk says rates of misogyny and domestic abuse generally are not changing.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She predicts the statistics for this World Cup will show similar numbers of domestic abuse in England.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is a dark side to a major sporting event, which should bring joy to everyone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Goshawk says Solace tries not to place the onus on the football itself, but on the perpetrators, who are &#8211; in the vast majority of cases &#8211; men.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She explains that an increase in the consumption of alcohol can also have an impact, heightening the feeling of loss or disappointment, which can then lead to aggression.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The charity&#8217;s message to men is that this is behaviour that can change and that they can get help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She said: &#8220;There are advice lines out there for men who are worried about their own abusive behaviours.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;What we&#8217;d say to other men who may not be perpetrating this violence: You have a duty and a responsibility to understand and challenge it within your friendships and your family as well. We all do.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"World-Cup-should-never-be-excuse-to-fuel-abusive-behaviour\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">&#8216;World Cup should never be excuse to fuel abusive behaviour&#8217;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Crown Prosecution Service sees first-hand the impact that domestic abuse has on victims.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It says that of every five cases the police refers to it, four result in charges being brought.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Olivia Rose, the CPS&#8217;s National Stalking Lead, says it does not just see physical abuse. There is coercive and controlling abuse too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It&#8217;s crucial for victims to spot the signs early,&#8221; Rose said. &#8220;What our prosecutors see can include monitoring of victims&#8217; phones and social media, often inundating them with dozens of messages. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;There&#8217;s also emotional blackmail, such as threatening to kill themselves if their partner leaves.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It&#8217;s incredibly important that we get the message out to say that behaviour like this is not just unacceptable: it&#8217;s illegal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The CPS, the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, say it works closely with the police and women&#8217;s charities to ensure that action is taken to stop such behaviour and to help victims to get away.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It says it needs help from communities too. And it is urging people to look out for friends, family and neighbours who could be vulnerable during the World Cup. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;If you can step in to help, you could be making a life-changing difference,&#8221; Rose said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She also wants to get the message to victims that they will be supported if they speak out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We understand how difficult it can be to report domestic abuse,&#8221; she added. &#8220;But if you come forward, you will be taken seriously, and we will bring offenders to justice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;The World Cup should bring communities together, and it should never be an excuse to fuel abusive behaviour.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">Anyone experiencing domestic abuse who is in immediate danger should always call 999. Victims can also report abuse to the police on 101.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">Confidential support services are available. Anyone affected can contact the <\/i><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">National Domestic Abuse Helpline<\/i><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, external<\/span><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\"> on 0808 2000 247 in England, or the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800 in Wales.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">Solace&#8217;s advice line<\/i><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, external<\/span><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\"> is: 0808 802 5565.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>FIFA World Cup 2026<\/li>\n<li>Football<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/cwymljn8y10o&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/a562\/live\/a1c11090-8213-11f1-be77-cd53d9589267.jpg&#8221;] The harrowing dark side of England&#8217;s World Cup exit Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Domestic abuse rises by 26% when England play and by 38% when they lose, according to research by Lancaster University ByJane Dougall BBC Sport presenter Published 4 hours ago As the full-time whistle blew in Atlanta [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[35,226],"class_list":["post-2049852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-bbc-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2049852"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049852\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2049852"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2049852"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2049852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}