Specialist family violence services reported a surge in demand of up to 40 per cent at the AFL and NRL grand finals last year, with experts warning support services could be “under pressure” ahead of the 2024 grand final season.
Victoria’s family violence service, Berry Street, reported a 30 to 40 per cent increase in demand over last year’s AFL and NRL Grand Final weekend.
Berry Street chief executive Heidi Reid said the “marked increase” continued in the days following the grand final, as well as during other major sporting events including the Melbourne Cup.
“It’s not like there’s no violence and then all of a sudden there’s a big final and there’s violence,” Reid said.
“This is a real escalation of the violence that is already taking place.”
A La Trobe University study found domestic assaults rose by more than 40 per cent at State of Origin games in New South Wales, with reports also increasing during other major sporting events, including the AFL Grand Final.
With the AFL Grand Final just days away, La Trobe School of Rural Health associate dean Dr Kirsty Forsdike has warned that support services could be “under pressure” over the next two weeks.
“In reality, services may be active for many days; they won’t necessarily just be on the day of the event,” Dr. Forsdike said, noting that this doesn’t necessarily mean just the police.
Reports of domestic violence rise dramatically during football finals (pictured, AFL Grand Final teams Sydney and Brisbane face off in July)
A family violence service reported a 30-40 per cent increase in demand over the AFL and NRL Grand Final weekend last year (pictured, NRL Grand Final prospects Melbourne and Penrith in action last month)
‘We’re talking about primary care professionals, family violence services, helplines… So it’s about being aware that this problem is emerging.’
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that police are “seeing an increase in reports of domestic violence coinciding with major sporting events as well as public holidays”.
“We know that major sporting events have the potential to create a range of relationship stressors that can increase the likelihood of family violence,” the spokesperson said.
‘These events provide opportunities for families, even people from families who don’t see each other often, to come together. This can mean increased contact and more opportunities for stress and conflict.’
Police have confirmed an increase in reports of domestic violence during major sporting events (file image)
The spokesman said a higher likelihood of alcohol consumption during major sporting events may have an impact on increased reports of domestic violence.
“It is important to note that there is never an excuse for domestic violence,” the spokesperson said.
“It can happen at any time and affect anyone.”
The spokesperson said police are “well-resourced to respond and support victim survivors and hold perpetrators to account” and urged those experiencing family violence to seek help from the police or support services.
New South Wales Police declined to comment.
Campaigners have called for State of Origin to be banned for the same reason, with a detailed study linking the matches to huge increases in domestic violence crimes.
MFW, who has more than 60,000 followers on X, posted during one of this year’s matches: “Hope everyone is enjoying the State of Origin match, forgive us if we think it should be banned until the men get their act together.”
The tweet then provided alarming statistics revealing that State of Origin nights see a 40 per cent increase on average in domestic assaults.
The claim was backed up by research from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics, with the Alcohol Research and Education Foundation stating that abuse is rampant between 6pm and 6am, when Origin is on air.
LOOK FOR THE SIGNS
Ms Reid agreed that gambling and alcohol “definitely play a role” as they can create “really volatile environments” by “lowering individuals’ inhibitions”.
She urged people to be alert to changes in behaviour, with coercive control being only one factor in domestic abuse.
“Be on the lookout for signs that someone is not okay, that maybe someone doesn’t feel safe, that maybe someone is acting differently than normal, that maybe someone is trying to control someone else’s behavior,” she said.
“It’s not just about the physical response; coercive control is when someone tries to control another person, humiliate them, embarrass them in some way. That’s the kind of thing we should be looking for.”
Berry Street chief executive Heidi Reid (pictured) said gambling and alcohol contribute to the rise in family violence as they can create “really volatile environments”.
La Trobe University Associate Professor Dr Kirsty Forsdike says support services could be “under pressure” as the AFL and NRL stage their biggest matches of the season.
Ms Reid also said it was crucial to ask questions of women who may be affected by violence “without judging them”.
She said that often family and domestic violence remains hidden until it “reaches an extreme level”, noting that while the 60 women killed by predominantly male violence this year (according to Sherele Moody’s Femicide Watch) are deeply concerning, there are also many women who experience non-fatal violence.
“We’re seeing an increase in the number of women suffering from really serious injuries, and even women suffering from CTE,” she said.
‘Speaking amongst colleagues in the sector, we are concerned not only about the increasing rates of family violence in terms of the deaths we see… but we are seeing an increasing number of women presenting with very serious, life-threatening and life-altering injuries as well.’
‘NO ONE ELSE IS TO BLAME FOR YOUR BEHAVIOR’
No To Violence chief executive Phillip Ripper said the rise in calls to emergency services around major sporting events was “disturbing” and sent a clear message to men: “no one else is to blame” for their behaviour.
“What we tell men is to plan their night, plan their weekend, limit their alcohol or other drug use if they have a history of violence or aggression or associated with sporting events and alcohol,” Ripper said.
‘Find a safe place to do it, where your behavior won’t affect your family members, and remember that your decisions are always your decisions: no one else is to blame for your behavior.
‘If you are worried about your behaviour or the impact it could have on your partner or children, seek help now. Pick up the phone, contact the Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) and speak to a trained counsellor who can provide you with strategies to help you manage your behaviour and make better choices.’
Ripper said calls to the men’s referral service increase in the days following major sporting events, after men have “reflected on their behavior.”
He explained that the referral service will first ensure that the man’s family and children are safe before “supporting him on his journey to change and providing immediate advice”.
“The number of men calling us continues to grow year on year as more men become more aware of the impact of their behaviour on their families and as more men seek a better life for themselves and their families,” Ripper said.