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read moreAlcohol researchers are calling on the NRL to acknowledge and address a "crystal clear" link between State of Origin nights and domestic violence in NSW.
A report by La Trobe University's Centre for Alcohol Police Research shows a 40% surge in domestic violence and a near 70% increase in non-domestic assaults on Wednesday nights when an Origin match is held compared with a regular Wednesday.
The study, which examined six years' worth of data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), also found a 71% increase in non-domestic assaults in NSW on game days. Researchers found no statistically-significant spike in Victoria.
The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), which commissioned the study is calling on rugby league administrators to do more to reverse the trend. Researchers found no statistically-significant spike in Victoria, where there is substantially lower interest in rugby league.
FARE's Research Manager Dr Melanie Pescud says the onus is on the NRL to acknowledge the data and outline a plan to remedy the problem, such as addressing alcohol sponsorship.
Dr Pescud told AAP “the way that alcohol is so heavily marketed and promoted is a massive problem - it is so highly visible.
"The alcohol industry is clearly spending a lot of money on sponsorship arrangements to encourage people to drink more."
Dr Pescud also questioned other sporting codes linked to alcohol, adding "I don't think anybody should be off the hook in terms of the surge in domestic violence.
"Everyone's got a role to play."
La Trobe University's Dr Michael Livingstone analysed the data for FARE and advised “it's not an unusual thing to find spikes in violence or other problems around big events.
"But these are really quite significant jumps."
Dr Livingstone highlighted similar research done in England around the FIFA World Cup and in the US around American football that has shown similar spikes in domestic violence when high-profile sporting events take place.
Anabelle Daniels, Chief Executive of Women's Community Shelters says there is a reported increase in referrals to crisis shelters the day after major sporting events in NSW.
She said it would be interesting to see whether there were different figures on nights when there was a loss.
Daniels told the ABC "I think there is such a strong sporting culture around the combination of alcohol and gambling and winning that can potentially be quite toxic in certain situations.
"Where sport is interlaced with issues of alcohol and gambling as part of the experience, then that can potentially have consequences at home."
The study's release comes ahead of the second Origin match at Sydney's Olympic Park on Sunday.
Promotion this week has included the spruiking of a ‘monster marquee’ at the Tooheys New Sheds, where organisers have boasted there will be a 50-metre bar.
Family violence support services:
1800 Respect national helpline 1800 737 732
Women's Crisis Line 1800 811 811
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line) 131 114
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Image: Beer brand Tooheys has extensive links with State of Origin.
17th April 2018 - NRL AGREES TO TAKE BIG GAMES TO MELBOURNE
27th March 2018 - STRATEGIC PLAN LAUNCHED TO GUIDE THE FUTURE OF RUGBY LEAGUE
6th February 2018 - NRL CLUBS CUT PRICES FOR ANZ STADIUM FIXTURES
21st December 2017 - SEVEN NSW NRL CLUBS TO SHARE $50 MILLION FOR ‘CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE’
15th December 2017 - LOCAL CONSORTIUM PURCHASES GOLD COAST TITANS FROM THE NRL
3rd November 2017 - NRL PLAYERS TO BENEFIT FROM MASSIVE PAY RISE
20th August 2017 - BROADCASTERS FAKE NRL LIVE ATMOSPHERE WITH HISTORIC CROWD FOOTAGE
14th February 2017 - NRL REDUCES OPERATING LOSSES TO $2.6 MILLION IN 2016
20th December 2016 - NRL CLUBS FUNDING AGREEMENT SEES JOHN GRANT RETAIN ARLC CHAIRMANSHIP
5th December 2016 - NRL CONCERN OVER DECLINING RUGBY LEAGUE PARTICIPANT NUMBERS
11th November 2016 - SYDNEY-BASED NRL CLUBS LOST $34.1 MILLION IN 2016 SEASON
28th February 2015 - NRL CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF COMMUNITY CARNIVAL
16th August 2014 - NRL LAUNCHES NEW RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
26th October 2014 - ALCOHOL, FAST FOOD AND GAMBLING DOMINATE AUSSIE SPORT
18th January 2014 - ALCOHOL BRANDS DEFEND SPORTS SPONSORSHIPS
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