Thousands of beer mats are being distributed to pubs and clubs in Derry as part of a new campaign aimed at highlighting the upsurge in domestic abuse during major sporting events.
Several hundred people attended the launch of a local campaign in the city at lunchtime today, timed to coincide with the start of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil tomorrow.
During the last World Cup – staged in South Africa in 2010, reports to police from women who had been victims of domestic violence by their male partners rose by up to 30 per cent, according to Women’s Aid.
The new campaign is working with football clubs, organisations, players and fans to help raise awareness of domestic violence and the sexist attitudes that underpin abuse against women.
Among those in attendance at today’s launch was Derry City midfielder Danny Ventre who urged women who were the victims of domestic abuse not to suffer in silence and to seek help.
Women’s Aid is asking football clubs to sign the “Football United Club Pledge,” which commits each organisation to sending a clear message that violence against women and children is “completely unacceptable”; breaking the silence which surrounds domestic violence by actively raising awareness of the support available to those affected; and to provide “positive role models to younger people in the (football) community, encouraging healthy and non-abusive relationships.”
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