Football United To End Domestic Abuse

Earlier this week, Fulham Football Club staff, along with staff from the Professional Footballers’ Association and journalists from the Sun newspaper, came together in support of the Women’s Aid Federation of England in a friendly fixture against the Parliamentary staff football team.

The focus of the day was on spreading the message about violence against women and how men can all be effective bystanders, recognising that everyone has a valuable role to play in ending domestic abuse.

For the last 47 years, Women’s Aid has campaigned on behalf of their members and survivors to shape policy and practice, and to raise awareness of domestic abuse. The match provided 90 minutes of energy, excitement and goals, with the combined Women’s Aid team winning 6-2 against Parliament FC.

“It’s great to see how powerful it is when you get men together to talk about violence against women and how we can be effective bystanders. Football is a powerful tool in spreading awareness, and combining this with International Women’s Day we want to share the mission of ending domestic abuse, and how sport is for everyone.” - Eleanor Rowland, Director of Safeguarding and Inclusion, Fulham FC.

Here at Fulham, we recognise the importance of spreading the Women’s Aid message. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, and the immediate and long-term physical, sexual, and mental consequences for women and girls can be devastating. Our mission is to provide a space for women and girls to be safe, play football and spread the message that there is no place for violence against women and girls in this world. Together we can end abuse.

For information or support on domestic abuse please see below:

• Women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support.
• Talk to a doctor, health visitor or midwife.
• Anyone can call Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for forced marriage and honour crimes. You can also call 020 7008 0151 to speak to the GOV.UK Forced Marriage Unit.
• In an emergency, call 999.
• You can also email for support. It is important that you specify when, and if, it is safe to respond and to which email address.
• Women can email helpline@womensaid.org.uk. Staff will respond to your email within 5 working days
• The Survivor's Handbook from the charity Women's Aid is free and provides information for women on a wide range of issues, such as housing, money, helping your children, and your legal rights.
• If you are worried that you are abusive, you can contact the free Respect helpline on 0808 802 4040.