Englands first World Cup match kicks off tonight, and for many of us it will be an excuse to have a beer or two.
For some people though, it could be a flash point for abuse with alcohol-related violence fueled by heightened emotions around the tournament.
In previous World Cups, domestic abuse cases rose by as much as 38% immediately after an England match.
Police are so worried that they have put extra officers with domestic abuse training on duty around every match England play.
Hampshire Police will put ten additional specialist officers in five response vehicles for all of Englands group stage matches during the tournament in Russia.
Warning signs of abuse
- If they cut you off from friends and family
- Threatening to hurt you or people close to you if you leave
- They monitor your movements
- Criticises you – constantly
- Blames you for the abuse
- Forces you to have sex with them
- Controls your life: Money, who you see, what you wear
- They change mood suddenly from charmer to monster
- Humiliates you in front of others
- Says youre useless and couldnt cope without them
- Intimidates you into doing what they want
- Makes you change your behaviour to avoid making them angry
Extra officers will also be on duty for the World Cup Final on July 15. The force has said it will assess the need for additional resources for other matches as the tournament progresses.
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The force said their decision was based on research from Lancaster University criminologist, Dr Stuart Kirby.
He found that domestic abuse cases rose after England matches in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
In Dr Kirbys paper, published in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, he found that in one force area violent incidents rose by 38 per cent when England lost and even rose by 26 per cent even when they won.
There was even a carry-over effect, with incidents of domestic abuse 11% higher the day after an England match.
Home Office figures relating to the 2010 World Cup echoed those results.
Chief Inspector Mike Haines, of Hampshire Police, said: While the World Cup is a source of sporting celebration, we also know the tournament leads to an increase in both alcohol-related violence and domestic abuse.
These additional officers will be on duty to be deployed to incidents of domestic abuse and to follow up domestic abuse incidents other officers have attended.
Hampshire Police spokesman Jack Backwell said: We are constantly reviewing which perpetrators are posing the highest risk and this list fluctuates.
The vast majority of domestic abuse perpetrators are male.
We know that alcohol consumption increases during such tournaments and so alcohol-fuelled violence is anticipated.
The cars themselves will be normal patrol cars, however, the officers crewing them will be colleagues from our Response and Patrol team who are Domestic Abuse Champions or have shown particular skills or interest at helping victims of domestic abuse.
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Dr Kirbys paper was titled Can the FIFA world cup football tournament be associated with an increase in domestic abuse?.
A police officer quoted in the report said: The World Cup appears a reason for many to party, however, delight and expectation can turn into despair and conflict with the kick of a ball.
The domestic abuse fleet will be on duty for the first time tonight when England play Tunisia at 7pm.
If you are at risk of abuse
Domestic abuse is incredibly common but can be difficult to recognise as abusers are often skilled manipulators, making you feel as if you are the one at fault.
If you are at risk of violence or concerned about your relationship being controlling, there are many places you can go for help and advice.
Refuge is a national charity offering services including: a 24 hour hotline, a network of safe houses, counselling and nursery care.
Refuge 24 hour national Domestic Violence
Helpline: 0870 5995443
You can also try the Womens Aid National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0845 7 023468.
If you are in an LGBT relationship you can also call the helpline run by Broken Rainbow and Galop UK, on 0300 999 5428 or 0800 9995428. Male victims can call also the Mens Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.
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