Domestic Abuse and Violence
Close
News & Press

A Statement from the Women and Gender Minorities Equality Special Interest Group (WOMGENE SIG) on behalf of BABCP regarding Domestic Abuse and Violence

Issued 14 July 2021

As the recent 2020 European Football Championship reached its conclusion there was a palpable feeling of apprehension, excitement and optimism. Now that the tournament is over, a different range of feelings are being experienced throughout the country. However, for some, feelings of trepidation and nervousness may be caused by something very different - fear of domestic abuse at the hands of their partner. We know from previous research that there is a stark increase of reported intimate partner violence during major football tournaments, and many organisations have created striking campaigns to raise awareness of this. For example, during the 2014 World Cup the National Centre for Domestic Violence used the arresting headline of; ‘If England gets beaten, so will she’ overlaid on the image of a woman’s bloodied face.

The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency (read more here here, 2014) concluded that reported cases of intimate partner violence increased by 38% when England lost and by 26% when they won or drew during that tournament.

More recently, The Crime Survey for England and Wales showed that an estimated 2.3 million adults ages 16-74 years experienced domestic abuse (1.6 million women and 757,000 men). Further crime statistics also demonstrate a steady increase in domestic abuse in recent years, and more notably during the last 18 months. During the pandemic, the rate of domestic violence that resulted in murder doubled from an average of 2.5 women per week to five women per week.

A complex issue speculation has been made regarding the impact of excessive alcohol consumption increasing the likelihood of domestic abuse. Although alcohol may not be the direct or sole cause of these incidents, it would appear to be a commonly associated perpetuating factor and the National Office for Statistics states that 39% of domestic abuse perpetrators were intoxicated or under the influence at the time of abuse occurring. (Read more here)

Given the inextricable link between domestic abuse and depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance misuse (further info available here) it is likely that many therapists have and will continue to work with those affected by this issue. The impact on a survivor’s mental health is profound, not to mention the ripple effects of the wider family and children’s wellbeing, and cost to the economy and healthcare. Domestic violence cost the UK over £15billion in 2019 alone (read more here). However, the validity of the statistics above relies hugely on the accurate reporting of abuse and the barriers to accessing support due to the shame and stigma around this topic. Mankind (a charity who work with male victims of domestic abuse) share that around every one in 6-7 men are a victim of domestic abuse but sadly, only 4.4% access local support services. Furthermore, more male victims (11%) than women (7%) are likely to consider ending their life due to intimate partner abuse (read more here). This issue is also further compounded by overall lower referral rates for men to access psychological support in addition to seeking out help for issues relating to domestic abuse.

The BABCP would like to use this opportunity to make a stand against intimate partner abuse of any kind and fully recognise this is not an issue which is exclusive to any particular gender or sexual orientation. We make no assumptions about who can be a victim, or indeed a perpetrator, of domestic abuse and urge all therapists to approach this issue with curiosity and courage in the coming days, weeks and months. Do this knowing that you may be the first person your client has felt able to talk to about this, or that you may be the first to ask - but your actions, reactions and words may be life-saving. As an organisation the BABCP are fully committed to improving the lives of all affected by domestic violence and by writing this statement we hope to create awareness for all members of the profound and obvious impact domestic abuse can have on an individual’s mental health. The BABCP’s Women’s and Gender Minorities Equality Special Interest Group have been working hard to explore the topic of violence against women and girls, particularly in light of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry in 2020, and Sarah Everard’s deaths in 2021, and will continue to ensure there is a platform for this topic and a voice to advocate and create awareness for those who are most at risk.

In the event of domestic abuse or violence being disclosed we ask therapists and practitioners to seek supervision and ensure any local safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to. Encourage your clients to access local support available and if they are concerned about a partners behaviours guide them to work with their local police force to use ‘Claire’s Law’ so they are able to access relevant information about a partners previous offences which could be life-saving. You may also want to signpost your client to specialist services which are linked below:

Nation

Helpline

Contact

England

Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline

0808 2000 247
Online live chat
Web form

Northern Ireland

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline

0808 802 1414
Online live chat
help@dsahelpline.org

Scotland

Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

0800 027 1234
Online live chat
helpline@sdafmh.org.uk

Wales

Live Fear Free

0808 80 10 800
Online live chat
Text
info@livefearfreehelpline.wales

UK-wide

The Men’s Advice Line run by Respect is a confidential helpline specifically for male victims.

0808 801 0327
info@mensadviceline.org.uk

  • White Ribbon: whiteribbon.org.uk
  • Domestic abuse: specialist sources of support
  • If you are working with or think you may be an abuser: The Respect Phoneline is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are abusing their partners and families. It is open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm. The helpline also takes calls from partners or ex-partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.
    A webchat service is available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 11am and from 3pm to 4pm.
    Telephone: 0808 802 4040
  • Safe Spaces: Safe Spaces are also available in Boots, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK. Once you are inside, specialist domestic abuse support information will be available for you to access. Many Safe Spaces are also prepared to respond to the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword, to provide victims with a discreet way to access help calling the police on 999 or specialist support services.
    Find your nearest Safe Space.
  • Ask for ANI codeword: If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.
  • https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
  • https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Psychological%20therapies%20(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008

Find out more about the WOMGENE Special Interest Group.

BABCP WOMGENE Special Interest Group

Dr Andrew Beck, BABCP President

0330 320 0851
babcp@babcp.com
Registered office
Imperial House, Hornby Street, Bury, Greater Manchester  BL9 5BN
Privacy Notice
Privacy Policy
0330 320 0851
Registered charity No. 1098704   A company limited by guarantee No. 4839948   Registered in England and Wales   VAT reg No. 732 5316 53