The emotion of sporting events can make abuse go from bad to worse
Extra support for local victims of domestic abuse service is being offered for the duration of the football World Cup, starting on Thursday (June 14).
Victim Support will run a drop in service at Merton Civic Centre in Morden which will be open between 9am to 5pm on weekdays from Thursday until Friday July 13.
This extended service has been established in partnership with Safer Merton, the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership run by Merton Council and Victim Support.
Merton Council cabinet member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities Edith Macauley said: “All forms of domestic violence are unacceptable. As a council we are committed to supporting victims and their children, who are often left devastated by providing an accessible and supportive service.”
Jenny Mannion-Krase, Senior Service Delivery Manager at independent charity Victim Support said: “International sporting events can be a cause for great celebration, community and unity, but they can also involve emotional highs and lows, tensions and disagreements, and often plenty of alcohol.
“If there’s already abuse or violence happening in a relationship, sometimes the frustration or elation combined with the influence of alcohol can tip things over from bad to worse. That’s why Victim Support, in partnership with Safer Merton, is offering an additional, confidential and discreet Domestic Abuse drop-in during the World Cup.”
Victim Support’s Independent Domestic Violence advisors will be able to provide a range of information, advice and guidance from emotional and practical support and safety planning as well as signposting to other services including legal specialists.
Anyone attending the Merton Civic Centre main reception or housing front desk can discreetly ask to see an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate who they can talk to privately, in confidence.
June 12, 2018