Domestic abuse reports increase by 22% since start of Euro 2024

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Domestic abuse charities in Leeds have issued a warning, stating they are ‘bracing’ for an increase in calls as Euro 2024 gets underway.

Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) says that the number of calls received has already risen in the week since the Euro 2024 started, and charities even believe there is a “risk to life” in the aftermath of matches.

Domestic abuse reports increase

According to Leeds Women’s Aid, the service has received 22% more calls since Euro 2024 kicked off – an increase of 19% compared to June 2023. And ninety-five per cent of callers were women.

Leeds Women’s Aid chief executive Nik Peasgood said:

“We’re very apprehensive. We’ve seen over the last few years the closures of pubs. Research shows that people generally tend to watch more football at home now; often women will be in their home and they can’t escape.

“Survivors bear the brunt of that anger, rage and joy. Football doesn’t cause abuse, but factors around it can increase the prevalence of it; it’s going to exacerbate the situation.”

Ms. Peasgood warned that calls could double – and this is a trend they have seen historically.

“If England lose, domestic abuse can increase by up to 40%; if they win, surprisingly, it can still increase by around a quarter.

“If domestic abuse has happened, there is trepidation about what is going to happen next.

“It’s the build-up, the walking on eggshells, the fear of what may happen after games,” she added.

Police forces across the UK have already issued warnings about domestic abuse ahead of the sporting event – stating there will be a “zero tolerance to violence.”

DI Pender-Harris said:

“Think before you act – be aware of how you’re behaving. Think about the consequences of your actions – you could be stopped by court order from seeing your family, you might lose your job, or end up with a criminal conviction. Being an abuser is a choice – choose to stop.”

“Frankly, there is absolutely no excuse for domestic abuse – it’s the individual’s choice to use violent, abusive, or coercive behaviour. Blaming your partner or blaming external factors is no justification, whatever the circumstances or heightened emotions.”

In the years 2022 to 2023, statistics show that the most common football-related arrest offence types were public disorder (31%), alcohol offences (25%) and violent disorder (16%).

Meanwhile, a study carried CORE found that reported incidents of domestic abuse rose each time England played in the tournaments. It was found that incidents increased by 26% when England won or drew, and by 38% when they lost, with an 11% increase the day after England played domestic abuse incidents

More recently, the NSPCC released figures highlighting the impact of abuse on children during sporting events. During the 2018 World Cup, the children’s charity said their hotline received a 33% monthly increase about domestic abuse and violence.

Compensation for victims of crime

If you have unfortunately been a victim of a violent attack during the Euro 2024 period, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries. This may have occurred out in public, or a domestic setting.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) awards compensation to those who have sustained an injury due to an act of criminal violence. However, as this is a government-run scheme there is a strict criteria you have to adhere to be successful in your claim.

By using a qualified solicitor, we can assist you in putting the best case forward to return the rightful compensation you are entitled to. We can also appeal on your behalf if we believe the offer for compensation is not as much as you should be entitled to.

We have broken down everything you need to know about claiming compensation from the CICA for a hate crime.

What is a Crime of Violence?

The CICA defines a ‘Crime of Violence’ as a crime which, by intention or recklessness, involves any of the following:

A physical attack
Any other act (or failure to act) of a violent nature which causes physical injury to a person
A threat against a person causing fear of immediate violence
Sexual assault
Arson

What is a ‘Relevant Place’?

According to the CICA, to make a successful claim, the offence must have taken place in a relevant place – which means Great Britain.

However, some further niche areas fall under the CICA’s definition. This includes a British-controlled aircraft, a British-controlled hovercraft, or a lighthouse off the coast of Great Britain.

How long do I have to make a claim?

As a general rule, the crime must have taken place within the last two years to put in a criminal injury application to the CICA. There can be exceptions to this rule if, due to exceptional circumstances, the applicant could not have applied earlier.

If an applicant was a child under the age of 18 on the date of the criminal incident, they have until they turn 20 years old to submit a claim.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the police have been known to tell an individual not to put in a claim to the CICA until after a criminal investigation has concluded however this can put you in severe danger of missing the pre-imposed deadlines that have been set.

Other CICA conditions I need to adhere to:

The crime must have been reported to the police as soon as ‘reasonably practicable’
The applicant must have fully co-operated with the police
The applicant must fully cooperate with the CICA claims officer

How much compensation will I get?

The CICA calculates awards for criminal injury compensation using a tariff that contains provisions for both physical and psychological injuries.

It pays out on up to three injuries if each is so serious that they would qualify for individual awards, calculated as follows:

100% of the injury that achieves the highest compensation
30% of an injury that is worth either equal to the most serious injury or the second-highest compensation
15% of an injury that is worth either equal to the second most serious injury or the third-highest compensation
There are also additional payments for losses that may be claimed, 3 are shown below with examples:

Common awards

A fractured jaw bone resulting in ongoing problems. This would be valued at £3,500 and could rise to £6,200 if an operation had taken place.
Facial scarring causes serious disfigurement. This could be valued up to £11,000.
Injuries resulting in permanent tinnitus which is very severe can be valued at £16,500.
Loss of teeth could be valued up to £3,500
A permanent and seriously disabling psychological injury, with a potential value of up to £27,000.

Loss of earnings

If your injury has caused you to miss a significant amount of work, then you may be able to claim for loss of earnings. If you have missed work for over 28 weeks, there is the option to add a claim for lost earnings to your CICA application.

You will be paid from the 29th week onwards that you have missed work and payments will be made via statutory sick pay rates. Supporting evidence must be provided from your doctor or employer to demonstrate that you were unfit for work for the length of time mentioned above.

Special expenses

Special expenses, such as medical expenses and alterations to your household, that have arisen as a result of your injury may also be claimed for. These expenses must be reasonable and will not be available if you received them for free, e.g. through the NHS.