End Violence Against Women & Girls.

From sexist and misogynistic abuse towards female supporters to sexist mass chanting: women are all too often on the receiving end of violence – even in the men’s game.

3 out of 5 women experience sexist abuse in person when at a football game or in a pub, whilst cases of sexist chants have quadrupled in the last year, according to recent stats by Her Game Too & Kick It Out.

Given this, we created an educational fixtures guide that highlights the forthcoming football matches, while also highlighting the things you should be mindful of – and look to avoid.

Football is a game for all. But violence against women and girls isn’t a game.

#ITSNOTAGAME

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Football is a game for all.

But violence against women and girls isn't a game.

Word On The Street.

We previously shared our Euros Fixtures Guide with people on the street to get their take on it.

Why a fixtures guide?

We wanted to draw attention to issues of violence against women and girls, using a medium that all supporters can engage with to show their allyship.

We wanted to get the attention of people who wouldn’t normally pay attention.

Combatting violence against women and girls is a team effort and we need everyone on board if we’re to make a genuine difference.

STATS

What do the stats say about incidents of violence against women and girls during and following football events?

Sexist and misogynist online abuse has increased towards female players and female supporters. (Kick It Out, 2023)

Reports of sexist mass chanting quadrupled at the end of 2023. (Kick It Out, 2023)

The NSPCC Helpline calls increased by a third following a major football tournament. (NSPCC, 2022)

60%

Almost 60% of people said they experienced sexist abuse in person at a football game or in a pub.

(Her Game Too, 2021)

Inappropriate behaviour

According to recent research from imabi*, 54% of people have witnessed inappropriate behaviour from others in public – with 22% of those saying they’d witnessed it in sporting venues, 40% on public transport, and 60% in pubs/bars/nightclubs.

*OnePoll questioned 2,000 UK-based respondents.

When asked what behaviours made respondents feel the most uncomfortable/intimidated, the top three were:

1. Unwanted physical contact (65%)

2. Invading personal space (64%)

3. Inappropriate comments (56%)

What Can I Do?

  • Everyone has a right to enjoy the match. Are you being a team player or ruining the game for someone?

  • Chanting should be fun for everyone, make sure your singing is inclusive.

  • Would your behaviour pass the VAR check?

  • Pull the red card on sexist online comments, call it out and report it.

  • Challenge sexist comments and harassing behaviour when you see it. All it takes is a simple ‘That’s not ok’.

  • Seen something inappropriate and need the ref to step in? Report it to a member of staff or police.

DOWNLOAD OUR APPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE DURING FOOTBALL MATCHES

Support White Ribbon UK & imabi

Supporters are able to order a physical copy of the guide with all proceeds going towards a mix of White Ribbon UK and imabi’s charitable fundraising arm imabi Community CIC, a not for profit company that exists to help create safer communities and safeguard children in schools.

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