As football finals approach across Victoria, domestic violence support services are preparing for a surge in requests for assistance. The period surrounding these sporting events has historically seen increased rates of family violence, prompting organizations to ready themselves for a higher volume of calls for help.
According to research by Respect Victoria, the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final has consistently aligned with a rise in domestic violence incidents. In 2023, the western Victorian support service Berry Street reported a staggering 30 to 40 percent increase in calls during the finals period. This trend is not limited to the AFL Grand Final; regional football finals also show a similar pattern.
Speaking on the anticipated rise in demand, Mandy Gambino, senior manager at Berry Street, noted that male-dominated sporting events often coincide with excessive alcohol consumption and gambling, which can escalate violent behavior. “This results in increased requests to services for assistance,” she stated.
The Centre Against Violence in Wangaratta, led by strategic projects advisor Kasi Burge, corroborated these findings. The organization has noted significant increases in demand during finals time, particularly in regional areas where local sporting events are central to community life. “It’s a huge event in these towns,” Burge said, highlighting the cultural significance of football finals in rural Victoria.
Community Involvement and Prevention Efforts
“Football clubs are a cultural engine for Australia and should be responsible for promoting respect and inclusion.” – Kerriann Campbell-Jones
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre, which serves the Barwon South West region, emphasizes the role of football clubs in shaping community norms. Chief executive Kerriann Campbell-Jones believes clubs can significantly influence behaviors by promoting respect. “They could be helping us to role model what respect looks like,” she said.
Some clubs are already taking action, participating in a preventative education program called Respect Starts Here. For instance, the Portarlington Football Netball Club on the Bellarine Peninsula has engaged in this initiative, focusing on equality and female representation within the club culture. Kelly Pickard, the club’s head of wellbeing, remarked on the shift in gender roles within their organization, noting, “Young people see both men and women in the canteen or on the board.”
Additionally, the Wimmera Football Netball League has publicly committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards disrespectful behavior during finals. Jennie Courtney, chief executive of Women’s Health Grampians, expressed satisfaction with this commitment, stating that bystander training has been implemented to empower individuals to speak up against minor acts of violence.
Funding Challenges for Support Services
Despite these proactive measures, support services face financial challenges. Earlier this year, the Victorian government cut funding for the Preventing Violence Through Sport Grants Program, which had provided crucial support for addressing gender-based violence. The program had allocated $207,000 to the Centre for Sexual Assault and Family Violence from 2022 to June 2025.
Campbell-Jones emphasized the need for stable, ongoing funding to ensure the sustainability of prevention efforts. “While these short-term funding streams have enabled high-quality programs, reliance on them undermines our capacity to plan and implement lasting strategies,” she stated.
A representative from the Victorian government highlighted that the state has invested over $4 billion in family violence response and prevention since 2016, implementing all recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The federal government’s Department of Social Services reported a similar commitment, contributing $4 billion nationwide to frontline services under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
As football finals approach, the intersection of sports culture and domestic violence remains a pressing issue. Support services are diligently preparing to meet the anticipated rise in demand, while advocating for the necessary funding and community involvement to foster a culture of respect and safety.
