World Cup fever is sweeping the globe as football fans brace themselves for the Beautiful Game being played out on the world’s stage.

But behind closed doors the emotion associated with the highs and lows of this high adrenaline spectator sport can often spill over and often with devastating consequences.

Staying Put, the Bradford charity protecting women and children against domestic violence, is bracing itself for a surge in calls.

According to the charity’s director, Yasmin Khan, demand on the service increased around the time of the last World Cup in 2010.

“Staying Put referrals quadrupled,” says Yasmin.

According to Yasmin with events such as the World Cup, drinking predominantly plays a part in the rise in violence.

“Often it is drinking, it is the extra opening hours during that time and if England lose it has a devastating impact on the household. I cannot imagine the kind of eggshells victims must be walking on during that period,” says Yasmin.

Preparation is the priority for victims to stay safe, according to Yasmin. “It’s keeping safe. Victims will know the impact it had last time and what they need to do to make sure they have something in place.”

She advises victims to keep contact numbers for family and friends close to hand. Many charities, such as Staying Put, also have helpline numbers and according to Yasmin charities are being pro-active in their preparations to cope with a surge in calls as and when the demand arises.

In Bradford specially trained safeguarding officers will be on hand to assist victims during the tournament and help them contact partner agencies such as Victim Support.

Officers have also pledged to make use of new Domestic Violence Protection Orders allowing them to ban a perpetrator from a residence with immediate effect and prevent them returning to a residence for up to 28 days.

Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO's - which are issued by the courts) allow officers to put in place protection for victims of domestic abuse very quickly after an incident.

They can be used as a tool where other legal sanctions, such as bail conditions, are not available to police.

Following an incident of domestic abuse, officers can issue an alleged offender with a DVPN. These are valid for 48 hours from when they are served and can impose significant restrictions on perpetrators of abuse, including preventing the person from returning to the house or contacting the victim. They must be authorised by a senior officer of Superintendent rank or above.

If a Notice is breached then an alleged offender can be arrested and kept in custody to appear before the next available court.

During the two day period, the police will then attend court to apply for a DVPO preventing the alleged perpetrator molesting the victim. It can impose other restrictions between 14 and 28 days allowing the victim time to consider their options and seek the necessary help and support through relevant agencies.

Police districts in Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Wakefield and Kirklees will also put extra patrols in and around town centres during the tournament and will have extra resources and officers available to respond to domestic violence incidents.

But the World Cup isn’t the only trigger for domestic violence. According to Yasmin, Staying Put has experienced an increase, generally, in demand on its services predominantly through the economic downturn.

Lifestyle changes and financial woes can have a negative impact on relationships. Yasmin believes improved partnership work between the violence against women sector, sexual violence sector and West Yorkshire Police has also encouraged more women to come forward and report the crime instead of staying silent

She explains if women have had a positive experience they are more likely to report incidents.

“I think the police and specialist services like ourselves work well together. There is a much more coordinated response,” says Yasmin.

Between 2013 and 2014 there were 5,472 incidents of domestic violence - an increase of 386 incidents for the same six month period between 2012 and 2013.

In 2008 there were 7,000 incidents and just under 10,000 last year. According to Yasmin there is an increase of between 500 and 600 incidents per year. Within the last year there were also between five and six homicides.

For Yasmin and her team these statistics are significant, particularly when local authorities and organisations are having to make cuts.

To help boost their funds, the charity held a fundraising ball and local hairdressing salon, Redheadz in Shipley, kindly hosted a family fun day and offered reduced hair cuts to raise more than £1,200 to enable the charity to continue delivering its valuable service.

For more information visit westyorkshire.police.uk/WorldCup14 or to find out more about Staying Put call the helpline on (01274) 667107.