Prosecutors in England and Wales expect rise in domestic abuse during World Cup

Women’s Aid has launched an awareness campaign, The Other Kick Off, signifying when an abuser is likely to come home from a match. Photograph: Ian Greenland/Woman's Aid/PA

Prosecutors in England and Wales are expecting incidents of domestic abuse to increase during the men’s World Cup, and have urged victims to come forward, saying those responsible “will be held accountable”.

“We often see more domestic abuse cases around major football tournaments like these,” the CPS national stalking lead, Olivia Rose, said. “The point that we want to get across is that those responsible will be held accountable, and that we won’t hesitate to bring them to justice.”