Thank you for this post @whathasitgottodowiththepriceofoliveoil 💐
My mother ended up in hospital the night Southgate missed the penalty. We had extreme DV growing up but England playing was a level of fear and trauma as a child I can't explain, even now, I can't watch or follow anything about the football without feeling sick to my stomach.
I was always told to keep my mouth shut about what was happening inside our house but had a teacher or school ran some kind of assembly to let us know they'd be a safe space I'd have caved 100% over the football seasons.
My mother was strangled and had her nose and cheek bones broken because of one disgusting little man's anger over a fucking game. I've thought so much over the years what would help women such as my mum during the England games, as a child I would wonder why there aren't police walking the streets listening for disturbances but as an adult I realise that's not viable. I definitely think more awareness to the public, if you hear anything ring the police, do not ignore.
I'd have domestic abuse helpline posters in every public women's bathroom etc, huge social media campaigns about keeping women and children safe.
Women's safety just isn't a concern when it comes to public spending, which when you consider how many women die per week at the hands of their partner or ex, it really should be.
The things that would truly keep us safe would cost millions if not billions.
Women aren't worth that. Children aren't.
We are all disposable.
In a dream world the police would visit partners of those with previous for DV and discuss safety options before the season starts. I'd have officers talk to children and advise them on their safety also, women you can't force to leave out of fear and I get that, but the children don't make that choice, they should be given the opportunity to prioritise their safety, but I doubt many would leave their mother or go against their parents and share their fears. But they should know that there are services to help. However those services need funding correctly which is where that also falls down.
Imagine every child in a DV situation telling teachers, teachers then involving SS, the system would buckle from pressure within hours.
The only way I think we can keep future women safe is teaching our sons to never lay a finger on their partner and teaching our daughters the second you feel scared of your partner the relationship is done, you come home, never ever see them again.
My sons know if they ever even swore in temper at a girlfriend they'd be in serious trouble with my oh and I. My daughter will know that she is to only ever feel respected and safe or she is to come home.
(Before someone says women can hurt men and men can also be dv victims I know that but this I've discussed here is specifically for m2f violence.
My sons obviously know to never ever tolerate abuse from a partner also.)