Let's call time on abuse

For some homes, match day means fear, not football – let's call time on abuse.

We've launched a new campaign to highlight the risk of domestic abuse increase during the football World Cup, encouraging people to ‘call time on abuse’ and anonymously report to our charity.

The prospect of a match for some people is a fearful one. Many partners find themselves on the edge of their seats for a different reason - and not a good one - when every match comes round.

A study from the National Centre for Domestic Abuse has shown that when England lose a match, domestic abuse rises by 38%. Even if England win a match there is a 26% increase - and the day following a match, win, lose or draw, domestic abuse incidents still increase by 11%.

The World Cup is an iconic festival of football and can bring great joy when your team wins - and heartbreak if they lose. Tragically, some families will forever associate that match day with the injuries and trauma suffered by a loved one who was a victim of domestic abuse.

For many victims it can be very hard to reach out for help or to report abuse; a report from a third party could protect the victim and maybe even save a life.

Abusive behaviour can happen in any relationship and to anyone - male, female, adult or child. Here are some of the warning signs a person may be experiencing abuse in their relationship…

Spot the signs

• Their partner puts them down in front of other people
• They are constantly worried about making their partner angry
• They make excuses for their partner’s behavior
• Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive
• They have unexplained marks or injuries
• They’ve stopped spending time with friends and family
• They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality

If you have information about domestic abuse, and you are not the victim, you can tell us what you know and remain completely anonymous - guaranteed. The only person who will ever know you got in touch with us - is you.

To pass on crime information completely anonymously, call our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Or fill in our secure online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously
 
In an emergency, or if you see a crime taking place, please call the police on 999 or 101. 

Crimestoppers guarantees complete anonymity, meaning that people who call us at any time on 0800 555 111 or contact us online can pass on what they know without giving any personal details.

Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

Are you a victim of domestic abuse?

Due to our anonymity guarantee, we can't take information from victims of crime. In an emergency, always call 999.

If it’s not an emergency and you don’t want to call the police, contact the 24hr freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 - available 7 days a week. The helpline is run by Refuge, a UK charity providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Live chat is available Monday-Friday 3-10pm via www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

Find out more about the help & support available, both nationally and locally

This campaign builds on previous Crimestoppers campaigns. Here are two anonymised real Crimestoppers case studies that show how domestic abuse escalated - and how information given to us here at Crimestoppers helped stop it:

High risk domestic abuser caught on the run after years

The effects of domestic abuse can be extensive and lifelong and include depression, anxiety, and mental health issues. A persistent offender who was a high harm danger to women had been on the run for many years. He continued to offend whilst evading justice. Thanks to Crimestoppers information he was picked up by police and finally faced the consequences of his actions.
 
Domestic abuse perpetrator breaching bail conditions charged 

Crimestoppers received information about the safety and wellbeing of a person whose partner was breaching their domestic abuse bail conditions. Thanks to our information, the perpetrator was found and charged.

Check out our Keeping Safe domestic abuse page for more information