Research examines relationship between domestic abuse and football

A report, published today by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR), highlights a correlation between the occurrence of certain football matches and increased reports of domestic abuse. The report, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by academics at the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University, found an increase in recorded domestic violence incidents on the day that football matches were played. Researchers stress that the reasons for this correlation are not yet fully understood and call for more work to be done in the area. Understanding domestic abuse and how to tackle it is a key priority for the Scottish Government and its partners. Domestic abuse continues to be a serious and persistent social problem rooted in gendered inequalities. To tackle domestic abuse, we must understand any factors that may contribute to it. The report, which reviewed existing research findings gathered over the last 25 years, suggests that the link between domestic violence and football may exis‌ due to their shared association between particular forms of masculinity, violence, sexism, and alcohol consumption.