A Beaten Team is no excuse for a Beaten Partner

While recorded domestic abuse offences fell in Merseyside during the 2010 World Cup compared to the 2006 tournament, the Force's Family Crime Investigation Unit received 145 referrals for domestic abuse on Sunday, June 27 after England lost 4 - 1 to Germany.

Throughout the games, Merseyside Police recorded an average of 10.9 offences per day compared to 19.5 incidents per day in 2006.

However, the number of referrals to the Family Crime Investigation Unit increased significantly on the days England played. The referrals throughout the tournament range from a low of 44 to a high of 145.

Draw a line

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 The Force and its partners launched a campaign to urge victims and their families to draw a line under domestic abuse this World Cup by reporting any incidents of abuse to police and other support agencies.

The campaign was launched with an event in St Helens town centre on June 12, the day of the first England game, to raise awareness of the help available to victims and their families. Shoppers were asked to show their support for victims of domestic abuse by standing behind a red line, demonstrating the need to draw a line under domestic abuse.

Throughout the tournament, a domestic abuse enforcement operation was put in place to increase the potential of offenders being brought to justice and to support victims. Specially trained domestic abuse officers were on patrol across Merseyside at key times during the World Cup with the dedicated officers focusing on streets that have been identified as hot spot areas for domestic abuse by police and partner agencies.

They attended reports of domestic abuse in a specialist domestic abuse vehicle equipped with forensic examination kits to provide expertise in the investigation of each case as well as giving vital support to victims and their families to ensure they are given every opportunity to break the cycle of domestic abuse.

Breaking the cycle

To mark the end of the World Cup, officers from Merseyside Police and staff from support agencies across Merseyside gathered at Chevasse Park in Liverpool One with red lines painted on their faces holding words highlighting how domestic abuse may make victims feel.

The aim of the event was to show that although the World Cup has finished, the support is available all year round to help victims break the cycle of abuse.

Detective Inspector Sally Johnson said: "While evidence has shown that domestic abuse increases during times of major sporting events, it happens across Merseyside every single day and we want to reach victims of domestic abuse and their friends and families to let them know that there is help available all year round.

"We want to let anyone in an abusive relationship know how to get the support they need to be able to get out of that situation and start re-building their lives - they do not have to suffer in silence.

"Nobody deserves to be a victim of this type of abuse and I urge anyone who is suffering from domestic abuse, or anyone who knows someone who is suffering from this sort of crime, to call us or support agencies at the earliest opportunity so we can take action against the offenders and help victims along the road to recovery."

It has to stop

As part of the campaign, a 'Draw a Line' website where victims, their friends and families can obtain valuable advice and information has also been launched. Visit www.drawaline.co.uk for more details.

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For confidential advice and support contact St. Helens Independant Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) on 01744 743 200.

You can also call the St.Helens Family and Crime Investigation Unit who can offer you support on 0151 777 1590.