Published by KMC Legal & Finance | June 2026
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For millions of people across the UK, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a time of excitement, pride, and shared celebration. But for far too many, match day brings something else entirely: fear.
At KMC Legal & Finance, we believe that legal protection should be accessible to everyone, and that nobody should suffer in silence. This summer, as the tournament unfolds, we want to speak directly to anyone who is living with domestic abuse, or who suspects that someone they love is going through it. You are not alone. Help is available. And there are concrete legal steps that can be taken, starting today.
The Statistics Are Stark: Football and Domestic Abuse
The link between major football tournaments and a rise in domestic abuse is well-documented and deeply troubling. Research consistently shows that incidents of domestic abuse increase by as much as 38 per cent on days when England lose a match, by 26 per cent when England win or draw, and remain 11 per cent higher the following day, regardless of the result.
This year, with the World Cup already underway, organisations across the country are raising the alarm. Crimestoppers has launched a national campaign specifically timed to the tournament, warning that “for some, match day is not about football, but fear.” The charity’s domestic abuse lead has said publicly that the heightened emotions tied to wins and losses can create dangerous conditions for those living with an abusive partner.
Telford and Wrekin Council has described the rise as “deeply concerning,” while the Crown Prosecution Service has been unequivocal: “There is no excuse for domestic abuse. It is never acceptable.”
These are not abstract numbers. They represent real people in our communities, our families, and our streets. If you are one of those people, or you know someone who is, please keep reading.
What Does Domestic Abuse Actually Look Like?
Domestic abuse is far broader than physical violence. It includes any pattern of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, whether in a current or former relationship. You may be experiencing domestic abuse if your partner:
- Puts you down in front of others, belittles you, or undermines your confidence
- Controls your finances, your movements, or who you are allowed to see
- Monitors your phone, social media, or messages
- Uses jealousy or possessiveness to isolate you from friends and family
- Threatens you, your children, or other family members
- Has caused you physical harm, or threatens to
If any of this feels familiar, what you are experiencing is real, it is serious, and you have every right to seek protection.
Your Legal Options: What Can Be Done Right Now
The law in England and Wales offers powerful protections for victims of domestic abuse. Here is a clear breakdown of what is available to you.
Non-Molestation Orders
A non-molestation order is one of the most commonly used and most effective forms of legal protection available. It is a civil family court order that prohibits your abuser from threatening, intimidating, harassing, or contacting you, including through phone calls, texts, and social media.
Crucially, breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence carrying a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. The court will consider whether you and your abuser are, or have been, in a relationship, live together, share a child, or are relatives under the Family Law Act 1996.
Courts typically grant non-molestation orders for between six and twelve months, with the option to extend. In urgent situations, an emergency application can be made without notifying your abuser first. This is known as a “without notice” application, and it means you can have protection in place swiftly and safely.
There is no court fee for domestic abuse applications.
Occupation Orders
If you and your abuser share a home, an occupation order can regulate who has the right to live there, or enter it. This can require your abuser to leave the property and stay away from it entirely, giving you and your children a safe place to remain.
Occupation orders are typically granted for up to six months and can be renewed. They can be applied for alongside a non-molestation order, giving you comprehensive protection both from contact and from having your home taken from you.
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs)
Introduced under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and now being rolled out nationally, Domestic Abuse Protection Orders represent a significant step forward in the law. A DAPO can combine the effects of a non-molestation order and an occupation order in a single application. Importantly, it applies whether or not you and your abuser live together, closing a gap that previously left some victims without access to the older orders.
DAPOs can be applied for by the police on your behalf, as well as through the courts, meaning that if officers attend your home following an incident, they may be able to initiate protective action immediately.
Restraining Orders
Where a criminal prosecution has taken place, a criminal court can impose a restraining order on conviction under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. This order can be made for a fixed period or until further notice, meaning it remains in force indefinitely. Even in cases where a prosecution does not result in conviction, a court can still make a restraining order if it is satisfied that one is necessary for your protection.
Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs)
In an immediate crisis, the police can issue a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice, which places conditions on an abuser, including preventing them from entering or approaching your home. This provides a rapid bridge of protection while longer-term legal steps are put in place.
Protecting Your Children and Other Family Members
Domestic abuse does not only affect the person directly targeted. Children who witness or experience abuse in the home are victims too, and the law recognises this. The same orders that protect you can also be extended to protect your children. Where there are concerns about a child’s welfare, a solicitor can help you seek emergency orders through the family court to ensure their safety.
If you are worried about a family member, a friend, or a colleague, you do not have to wait for them to come to you. Speaking to a solicitor on their behalf, even at an early stage, can help you understand what options are available and how to approach a sensitive conversation in the most supportive way possible.
How to Take the First Step
We understand that reaching out for help is one of the hardest things a person can do. Fear, shame, practical concerns about children or finances, and uncertainty about whether things are “bad enough” to warrant legal action can all get in the way. They should never have to.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
If you need advice but are not in immediate danger, here is what we recommend:
Document what is happening. Keep a note of incidents, with dates and as much detail as possible. Save any threatening messages. Photograph any injuries. This builds the evidential foundation for a legal application.
Speak to a specialist solicitor. At KMC Legal & Finance, our family law team handles domestic abuse cases with absolute discretion and genuine compassion. We will listen. We will advise you on the most appropriate legal steps for your specific situation, and we will move as quickly as your circumstances require.
Reach out to support services. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have information about someone else being abused.
You Are Not Alone, and You Are Not Without Options
At KMC Legal & Finance, we are experienced in supporting clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We know that facing this takes courage, and we are here to make the legal side of it as straightforward and as supportive as possible.
Domestic abuse is never your fault. It is never acceptable. And it does not have to continue.
If you, or someone you know, needs legal advice on domestic abuse protection, please call us on 0800 9494 667 or get in touch via kmc-legal.co.uk. Your enquiry will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
KMC Legal & Finance. Always in your corner.
