July 12th 2024.
The issue of domestic violence and violence against women still remains a pressing concern in the UK. As a woman, it's ingrained in me from a young age to constantly be aware of the potential threat posed by men. Simple things like not making eye contact, holding my keys between my fingers, and letting someone know when I've arrived home safely, are all part of the survival techniques we learn. It shouldn't be our responsibility to protect ourselves, but unfortunately, it often falls on us when the alternative is risking our safety.
The weight of this burden is heavy, and although it may not always make headlines, the names of women like Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa, Nicole Smallman, and Bibaa Henry are permanently ingrained in our memories. These women were all brutally attacked and murdered by men they didn't know, who had a history of violence. It's a chilling reminder that the threat of violence is not just on the streets, but also in our own homes. In fact, statistics show that a significant number of femicides and attacks on women happen within the home.
The recent murder of Sarah Everard sparked a wave of grief and anger, as people paid their respects and laid down flowers at Clapham Common's bandstand. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Between April 2022 and March 2023, 35% of women killed in England and Wales were murdered by a current or former partner, and an additional 10% were killed by a family member. Shockingly, an estimated 1.4 million women aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse during this same period, and 93 victims of domestic abuse turned to suicide.
In February 2023, 45-year-old Emma Pattison and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie were tragically found dead, after Emma's husband George shot them both before taking his own life. And just this week, we mourn the loss of three more women – Carol, 61, and her two daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25 – who were killed in a crossbow attack in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Women's charity Refuge emphasizes that the focus should be on addressing the root cause of violence against women and girls, rather than just banning dangerous weapons like crossbows.
The statistics regarding domestic violence and femicide are bleak, and show little change over time. According to the Femicide Census, which analyzed data from 2009-2018, there were 1,425 women murdered over a ten-year period, with over 100 deaths each year. It's worth noting that while men can kill women on any day of the week, incidents were higher between Thursdays and Mondays. Additionally, there is a concerning correlation between incidences of domestic violence and football, with a 38% increase reported during some matches.
While the blame for domestic violence falls entirely on the perpetrators, it's important to recognize the potential for abuse to escalate during events like the upcoming Euros final, where England will face off against Spain this Sunday. Sharon Bryan, Head of Partnerships at the National Centre of Domestic Violence, understands this all too well. After years of enduring violence at the hands of her husband, she was eventually able to escape and now helps other survivors seek justice through emergency court injunctions. Sharon vividly recalls the constant fear and pressure of trying to avoid provoking her husband, especially after a football match.
"I was always second-guessing myself, trying to predict what to say and how to say it," she shares. "But no matter what I did or said, it didn't make a difference. The outcome was always the same. I never knew what he was capable of, and he would often make threats. The saying 'walking on eggshells' was spot on. Every time he came home, I would try to figure out how to act or what to say. And the constant fear of his team losing and taking it out on me was overwhelming."
Domestic violence and violence against women remains a major issue in the UK, despite efforts to address and prevent it. From a young age, women are taught various survival techniques to protect themselves from the threat of men. These include things like avoiding eye contact, holding keys between their fingers, and texting someone when they arrive home. It's unfortunate that the responsibility often falls on women to protect themselves, rather than on men to not attack them or on lawmakers and law enforcement to prevent and prosecute such acts.
The burden of constantly being on guard and taking precautions is a heavy one for women to bear. Sadly, even though they may not make headlines anymore, the names of women who have been victims of violence and femicide continue to be etched in our memories. Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa, Nicole Smallman, and Bibaa Henry are just a few of the recent victims who were brutally attacked and killed by men with a known history of violence. In a tragic case, Sarah's attacker was even a police officer.
But it's not just on the streets where women need to be vigilant. Many attacks and femicides occur within the home, and often by someone the victim knows. In 2021, the shocking abduction and murder of Sarah Everard sparked widespread outrage and grief, with people laying flowers at Clapham Common's bandstand in her memory. And according to statistics, between April 2022 and March 2023, 35% of women killed in England and Wales were murdered by a partner or ex-partner, and a further 10% were killed by a family member. The numbers are even more alarming when considering that an estimated 1.4 million women aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse during this period, and 93 of them turned to suicide as a result.
Sadly, these statistics only continue to grow. In February 2023, a 45-year-old woman and her seven-year-old daughter were found dead after being shot by the woman's husband, who then took his own life. And just this week, three women, a mother and her two daughters, were killed in a crossbow attack in Hertfordshire. It's clear that the danger to women is not just from the weapons used, but from the perpetrators themselves.
Women's charity Refuge highlights the need for a wider focus on tackling violence against women and girls and addressing the underlying issue of a misogynistic culture. It's also important to note that there seems to be a correlation between incidences of domestic violence and football, with some instances seeing a 38% increase. While the blame for domestic violence always lies with the abuser, the upcoming Euros final between England and Spain is likely to see a spike in violence regardless of the outcome.
It's a sad reality that football and domestic violence often go hand in hand. Sharon Bryan, who is now Head of Partnerships at the National Centre of Domestic Violence, knows this all too well. After years of abuse at the hands of her husband, she finally managed to escape and is now helping other survivors of domestic abuse. Sharon vividly remembers the constant fear and pressure of trying to act in a way that wouldn't provoke her husband, especially after a football game. She was diagnosed with OCD as a result of the trauma she endured.
Sharon recalls feeling like she was constantly walking on eggshells, trying to predict the right words and actions to avoid her husband's anger. But no matter what she did or said, the outcome was always the same. The constant fear of her husband's temper, especially after his team lost a game, was unbearable. It's a terrifying reality that many women face, and it's time for society to address the root causes of such violence against women and work towards prevention and protection for all.
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