The Tottenham supporter Eve De Haan’s account of being sexually assaulted on the tube after Spurs v Brentford is a stark reminder that as much as we love football, it remains a male-dominated space where harmful behaviours can too often go unchecked. It’s not just a football problem; it’s a societal issue that plays out within football. Yet the environment at matches and on public transport lends itself to silence rather than support. We must break that silence. If you were shocked when you read the article, you’re not paying attention.
The figures are damning and we know they’re only the tip of the iceberg. Two million women a year in England and Wales are estimated to be victims of male violence (that’s one in 12) and the figures are increasing year on year. Only 3% of 18- to 24-year-olds in the UK have not been sexually harassed in a public space, a 2021 survey showed. We know the problem for women is far bigger than reported, with the same survey showing that 95% of women do not report incidents of sexual harassment for reasons including fear of not being believed and the traumatic processes involved.
