Children don’t leave domestic abuse at their front door; sport and physical activity can be the place where someone notices, responds and helps keep them safe.
In this blog we explore:
- why domestic abuse is a sport safeguarding issue
- what domestic abuse is
- how domestic abuse affects children
- domestic abuse and major sporting events
- what adults in sport can do
- more about our new masterclass: domestic abuse in a sporting context
Why domestic abuse is a sport safeguarding issue
Sport and physical activity can be a protective space for children and young people affected by domestic abuse: a place with safe adults, clear routines and opportunities to build confidence. For some children, it may also be a setting where changes in behaviour are noticed.
Children who are living with domestic abuse don’t stop being affected when they arrive at training or competition. Domestic abuse can shape how safe they feel, how they cope with pressure, and how they relate to adults and friends.
Despite improvements in legislation, funding and policy, in the UK one in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse. As a result, one in five children are exposed to domestic abuse every year. (Domestic Abuse Statistics UK - NCDV Accessed 05 October 2026 and Radford et al (2011) Child abuse and neglect in the UK today. London: NSPCC.)
For sports organisations this means:
- understanding what domestic abuse can look like and how it can affect children
- noticing patterns and change over time
- using your safeguarding process to record and share concerns early
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is when someone personally connected to a person aged 16 or over (such as a partner, ex‑partner or family member) uses behaviour to control, frighten, or harm them. It can be emotional, controlling/coercive, threatening, physical, sexual, or financial.
It does not have to involve people living together or a relative.
How domestic abuse affects children
In England and Wales, the law states that children suffer from child abuse if they see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse. A young person aged 16 or over can also experience domestic abuse in their own relationships with another young person aged 16 or over.
Research by the UK Trauma Council consistently shows that children who see, hear, or live with the effects of domestic abuse are at increased risk of trauma symptoms (including anxiety and depression), sleep disturbance, and difficulties with emotional regulation.
In sport, this may show up as:
- fear and anxiety
- difficulties with concentration
- changes in behaviour, including aggression or withdrawal
- reduced confidence or increased perfectionism
- difficulty in maintaining or forming positive relationships with friends
- reluctance to attend or reluctance to go home
- fear of making mistakes
Impact varies, and protective factors, especially safe, supportive relationships and stable routines, can reduce harm.
Domestic abuse should never be dismissed as relationship conflict. It involves patterns of power and control that harm both adults and children.
Domestic abuse and major sporting events
Reports show that reports of domestic abuse increase around major men’s football matches, such as the World Cup and European Championships. (Kirby, S., Francis, B., & O’Flaherty, R. (2014). Can the FIFA World Cup Football Tournament Be Associated with an Increase in Domestic Abuse? and NPCC News published in Aug 2024 Over 300 domestic abuse offences linked to Euros)
Let’s be clear: football doesn’t cause domestic abuse. However, factors often linked to major sporting events such as increased alcohol use, heightened emotions, and existing patterns of control can make abuse more likely or more severe.
Why this matters for sport clubs
For children and young people, these periods can mean:
- increased fear at home
- disrupted sleep, routines or behaviour
- greater emotional distress carried into training or school
What adults in sport can do
Sport has a role to play in reducing harm by creating a safer environment, noticing concerns early, and sharing information through safeguarding processes. Your role is to notice, record and report concerns, not to investigate. Where appropriate and safe, you can also signpost to specialist services (see helplines below).
Here are ways to help children that you suspect are living with domestic violence.
- Create a welcoming environment with clear routines, calm transitions, consistent boundaries.
- Respond to any unusual behaviour as communication by staying calm, avoiding public shaming, and de-escalating where possible.
- Check in with the child when appropriate, listen, and avoid pressing for details.
- Record and share concerns early using your organisation’s safeguarding process. Be open with the child about who you share information with, why you need to and what the next steps will be.
- Where appropriate, offer safe signposting (such as Childline) and make sure the child knows who the safeguarding lead is.
- If you believe a child is at immediate risk, call 999 and follow your emergency and safeguarding procedures straight away.
Where to get help
- In an emergency: call 999. If you cannot speak, dial 999 and press 55 on a mobile when prompted.
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247 (24/7, freephone).
- NSPCC Helpline (adults with concerns about a child): 0808 800 5000.
- Childline (for children and young people): 0800 1111.
- Victim Support: 0808 168 9111 (Supportline also offers live chat).
- Men’s Advice Line (Respect): 0808 801 0327.
- ManKind Initiative (male victims): 0808 800 1170 (freephone) or 01823 334 244.
- Galop (LGBT+ domestic abuse): 0800 999 5428
Learn more by completing our masterclass: Domestic abuse in a sporting context
Our new masterclass explores the impact of domestic abuse within sport, helping you recognise risk, respond confidently and create safer sporting environments for every child.
It is designed for anyone working in sport, such as coaches, welfare officers, safeguarding leads, volunteers and senior leaders.
It combines scenarios, research, practical safeguarding guidance and opportunities for reflection, to help you better understand:
- what domestic abuse is and how it affects children and young people
- the links between major sporting events and increased domestic abuse risk
- how abuse can present in sporting environments
- the behavioural signs to look out for
- how to respond to safeguarding concerns safely and sensitively
- how sport can become both a risk factor and a protective space for children experiencing harm.
Buy and watch the domestic abuse in a sporting context masterclass online