Domestic Violence

Julie Morgan
6. To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will commission research to examine whether there is a relationship between major sporting events and levels of domestic violence.

Maria Eagle
I am aware of the interesting research undertaken by Cardiff university’s Professor Jonathan Shepherd indicating a link between large-scale sporting events, alcohol consumption and domestic violence. The Government have no plans to commission additional research at this time.

I applaud the recent launch of the Wales tackles domestic abuse campaign to coincide with the Six Nations Championships. It echoes our message that violence against women and girls is unacceptable whatever the context and whatever the circumstances.