Did You Know …we frequently see a spike in the reporting of domestic abuse and stalking during major football tournaments like the World Cup – in fact a study by Lancaster University found a link between domestic abuse and England World Cup games; when England lose, incidents of domestic violence increase by 38% and (more shockingly) when they win it increases by 26%!

We know victims of domestic abuse and stalking struggle or are reluctant to seek support, this hidden harm is likely to be suffered by more vulnerable victims.

Stalking is an insidious and psychological crime, Stalkers’ actions often seem unremarkable which may explain why some victims suffer stalking behaviour over a prolonged period of time before reporting it. On average, 100 instances of stalking will be experienced before being reported to the police

During the FIFA World Cup (11th June - 16th July 2026), 30 police officers from across Kent Police will be running to raise awareness of stalking and raise vital funds for the Kent based charity Protection Against Stalking (PAS). The team aim to accumulatively run the distance between England’s first game in Texas to the Final in New York. A total of 2250 km or 1398 miles, the equivalent of half-way across America..... it would take 23.5 hours to drive this distance!

All funds raised will go directly to PAS via Just Giving.

WHY PAS ?

• 1.4 million people were stalked in England & Wales in 2025

• Very few charities provide specialist stalking advocacy support and advice to victims of stalking in the UK

• 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will be stalked during their lifetime

• 94% of women murdered by a man were stalked prior to being murdered

• 75% of (PAS) stalking cases are linked to domestic abuse

• 21 people around the victim (friends, family, colleagues) will be affected by the stalking behaviour

• 80% of victims of stalking display symptoms of PTSD

• Cyber stalking is now more common than physical harassment

• PAS is the only specialist stalking charity in Kent

WHAT PAS DO

• Raise awareness of stalking through website, social media, presentations and bespoke training programmes

• Provide face-to-face, trauma-informed, specialist advocacy support to victims of stalking

• Use specialist stalking screening tools to identify risks

• Develop dynamic safety plans safety plans including applications for protective orders

• Work in partnership with criminal justice and community safety professionals partners to improve safety of victims

• Co-ordinate cyberstalking clinic

• Signpost clients to recovery programmes

• Deliver bespoke training programmes for criminal justice professionals, business and community groups, staff and volunteers

• Website: https://www.protectionagainststalking.org

PAS KNOWS EARLY IDENTIFICATION & EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION SAVES LIVES