The FIFA World Cup is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, exceeding even the Olympic Games. Bringing people together from all walks of life it creates a sense of national community and pride in a country's team, but also a worldwide sense of unification as we all participate in the same sport.
But through all the celebrating, face painting, cheering and "goooooooal" shouting, there is a darkness.
In this video brought to us by Tender Education and Arts, a U.K. charity which works to prevent violence and abuse, using the hashtag #StandUpWorldCup, we are faced with the reality of what an elimination for England might mean to a woman.
In the video above, the woman's expression is not one of disappointment or anger, but one of fear.
The words "No one wanted England to win more than women" flash across the screen. And then the chilling statement: "Domestic violence rises 38 percent when England gets knocked out of the World Cup."
The PSA cited research by the University of Lancaster, published in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, that showed a 38 percent increase in domestic violence in Lancashire, England, when the national team lost, as well as a 26 percent rise when the team won or drew.
The Tender Education and Arts website writes, "The weather is getting warmer, more drinks will be consumed, emotions will be heightened, and none of this excuses violence. We ask that individuals and organizations to stand together this World Cup season and say 'No excuses.'"
England has already been eliminated from this year's World Cup, but bringing attention to the alarming relationship between abuse and the tournament remains important.
For more information, or to donate to the cause, visit here.
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