SPAIN’S domestic violence hotline saw a surge in calls directly after last Sunday’s World Cup final.
Following La Roja’s victory against Argentina in the USA, the country’s national domestic abuse 016 number saw an increase of 120.8% compared to the same time the week before.
The hotline saw a spike in calls particularly between the hours of 11am Sunday night, and 7am the following day.
Other support systems also saw increases the following day, according to the National Ministry of Equality.
On the day following the final, emails to the service increased by a whopping 1,000% compared to the previous Monday, while the online chat services increased by 60%.
These figures have renewed concerns that major sporting events can coincide with periods of heightened risk for victims.
Although there isn’t much research from Spain on the issue, countries such as the US and the UK have seen similar patterns following such events.
A UNICEF and UN Women study found that calls to domestic abuse hotlines increase by up to 30% following major football tournaments.
In the UK, a study by Lancashire University showed that domestic violence incidents increased by 38% when England’s national team lost, and 26% when England won or drew.
Although the correlation between big sporting events and domestic violence is clear, researchers emphasise that it’s their association with factors like heavy alcohol consumption, heated rivalries, and existing sexist attitudes which fuel the abusive behaviour.
Spain has seen a recent surge in gender-based violence, with pressure on the government to address a particularly violent spell of femicide cases.
In the last week alone, the country saw four women killed in cases of gender violence the space of five days.
On Tuesday, two femicides took place in the space of 24 hours – one in Antequera, and one in Toledo.
Earlier in the week, a 31-year-old Moroccan woman in Madrid died in hospital following severe burns, believed to have been orchestrated by her husband.
Meanwhile, a woman in Benhavis, Malaga was found dead inside her home with evidence of knife stabs to the neck. There has been no indication so far, however, that the perpetrator was a current or former partner of the victim.
So far this year, 31 women have been killed by current or former partners in Spain.
The government’s 016 helpline, which operates 24 hours a day, is available to victims of gender-based violence, as well as their families and support networks.
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