Citation

Brooks-Hay O, Lombard N. J. Gender Based Viol. 2018; 2(1): 93-108.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Centre for Gender and Violence Research, University of Bristol, Publisher Policy Press)

DOI

10.1332/239868018X15155986580769

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Increased reports of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) following football (soccer) matches have been documented, within both quantitative studies and the media, leading to questions about the policy and practice responses required. However, qualitative research facilitating understanding of
the apparent link between football and DVA is lacking. Drawing upon research with key stakeholders across England and Scotland, this paper provides a rare insight into their understanding of the contested and complex relationship between football and DVA, including the role of contributory
and confounding factors such as alcohol, match expectations, masculinity, entitlement and permissions. It is argued that while football may provide a potential platform for challenging DVA, focusing on football (or other specific factors or events) as causative risks re-incidentalising DVA
and detaching it from feminist frameworks that have established DVA as a sustained behaviour grounded in gendered inequalities. This paper concludes by considering the broader conceptual implications of these findings for future research, policy and practice.

Language: en

Keywords

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE; FOOTBALL; GENDER; PREVENTION; SPORT