IFA backs domestic violence campaign

The Irish Football Association is backing a campaign to reduce violence against women.

Soccer’s governing body was shocked into action by a 90% increase in the number of incidents of domestic violence reported during last year’s World Cup.

Independent reports showed almost a third of men believed abuse was acceptable in some cases.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez said: “Domestic violence is a massive problem. It is something that touches us all and could be happening to your sister, friend or work colleague.

“Our message is quite simple, real men don’t hit women; real men take a stand against violence on women.”

The PSNI deal with more than 20,000 domestic violence incidents every year, with an average of five ending in murder.

There are nearly three times as many domestic-related crimes as drug offences and almost twice as many domestic-related crimes as there were car thefts.

Patricia Campbell, campaign spokeswoman, said: “We are delighted that the IFA has come on board the Stop Violence Against Women campaign. The IFA and the supporters clubs have worked really hard over the past few years at tackling sectarianism and racism on the terraces.

“We feel that this is a very effective way of getting across a message and involving men in what is all too often seen as a woman’s issue.”