While there appears to be a strong correlation between major sporting events and DV, why such a correlation exists and in what contexts is still unknown and more research is needed to understand the relationship and how best to intervene to prevent this violence. Equally, we cannot make assumptions based on the data from North America and the UK to inform other contexts.
The implications for practice, policy and research are broad in scope (Table
3). Given the scarcity of studies beyond North America and the UK and the limited type of sports investigated, more studies are required across more sports and more countries. Furthermore, more studies looking at international and national competitions are required, particularly as to whether factors such as rivalry between competing teams, emotional salience and alcohol consumption are fundamental factors in the correlation between the sports event and DV.
(table 3 snipped, it's at the freely accessible link)
Data sources beyond police records are required, and consistency in the use of data sources is needed between studies if meta-analysis is to be feasible. Additional sources of data may include hospital admissions, calls to helplines and population surveys, particularly where delays in reports of DV incidences can be identified. Further, qualitative reports of victims–survivors and perpetrators are needed to better understand the circumstances and experiences of both victims and perpetrators in relation to DV following a major sports event (Brooks-Hay & Lombard,
2018).
Intervention development that can target these events has so far been hampered by a lack of scholarship. Additional research into this area can support possible strategies such as the development of policies and interventions that are tailored to particular countries, and how a country's culture then influences the behaviour in respect of a particular sport. Recommendations for prevention activities include policy development that guides when major sporting events are scheduled (e.g. avoiding public holidays), appropriate timing and development of social marketing campaigns to coincide with particular sporting events (such as important upcoming games between major rivals) and joint resource planning across police, health and specialist services.
While there appears to be an association between major sports events and the increased incidence of DV, there is great scope for further research and associated policy and intervention development as a result.
