The Grand Final is not a celebration for everyone
Family violence
As footy finals fever is in full swing ahead of the men’s football grand final, Berry Street Yooralla is warning people about the increased risk of family violence and is urging people to find help if they need it. The most exciting time of the year for footy fans can be a time of increased fear and danger for women and children who we know are at an even higher risk of family violence, particularly in the hours following the final siren.
Berry Street Yooralla’s family violence practitioners are all too aware of the significant spikes in family and gender-based violence around Grand Final time, and at other key moments throughout the year that have heightened attention, emotion and cultural influence. Over the past two years our staff have felt the impact more than ever -- Berry Street recorded an average 56% increase in victim-survivor calls for help in the week immediately following the 2024 and 2025 men’s Grand Final weekends.
“Grand final weekend can significantly increase demand for our family violence services. While many people are celebrating, our practitioners are preparing to respond to victim survivors and children who may need safety, support and crisis intervention,” said Catalina Rua, Senior Manager, Family Violence Services.
“For a lot of us, this is much more than a game, and any celebration is overshadowed by the harm we know will happen,” said Sally Wadell, Senior Manager Family Violence Services.
It’s not only Berry Street Yooralla who see (and support victim-survivors through) the impacts of the spike in family violence coinciding with big men’s sporting events.
On AFL Grand Final day, Victoria Police prepare for a 20% spike in family violence call-outs, according to Our Watch. The Men’s Referral service also noticed an increasing trend of calls during grand final weekend of 32% in 2020 and 34% in 2021.
It’s a similar story with big men’s sporting events in other codes, states and countries. In 2018, there was a 40% increase in family violence reports to NSW Police on State of Origin game nights according to a La Trobe University study. Internationally, a 2021 study found a 47% increase in alcohol-related family violence police reports on days when the English national team won, compared to non-match days. A 2013 study found that rates of family violence associated with the FIFA World Cup Tournament increased 26% when the English national team won or drew, and a 38% increase when the national team lost.
So, what is it about big men’s sporting events that means we see a spike in family violence? Are we saying football causes family violence? Absolutely not!
Most football fans do not use violence. A big game, increased alcohol consumption, and gambling are already risk factors for family violence, and environments that add to these risks include male-dominated, aggression-condoning settings like men’s sport. However, these factors do not cause violence or abusive behaviour.
Violence and abuse are always a choice…just as non-violence is a choice. Berry Street Yooralla believes that people using violence can choose to make safer choices. Support is available.
“High emotions around a big game, increased alcohol consumption and gambling all increase the risk but none of these are excuses for a man’s decision to use violence against women and children. Family violence is unacceptable and has no place in our communities or in our sporting culture,” said Terry Symonds, Berry Street Yooralla CEO.
“A scenario that is quite common is we will find men are out either at a venue or a football game and they've chosen not to use violence around their friends, or on the way home. Then they use violence at home with their partners behind closed doors, which means they're less likely to be held accountable for their behaviour,” said James Stubbs, Berry Street Yooralla’s Executive Director, Child, Youth and Family Services.
“Family and gender-based violence has reached crisis levels and there is a role for all of us in preventing it,” said Terry Symonds, Berry Street Yooralla CEO.
Berry Street Yooralla is doing everything we can to prevent family violence, but we can’t do this alone. Knowing what family and gender-based violence looks like is an important first step in recognising it and responding safely. Support and resources are available now.
In addition to our ongoing work in family violence service delivery and advocacy for children, young people and families, Berry Street Yooralla has created an ongoing family violence information hub, practical resources and support pathways and education campaigns to be delivered at key moments, such as the grand final.
Our family violence experts have developed new practical educational resources such as a family violence and children guide; a family and gender-based violence language guide and a new family violence resource website designed to empower people to join us in taking action to help prevent family and gender-based violence. The website includes avenues for support and resources for people who are worried about their own behaviour, or those who are worried for their own safety or that of a loved one.
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