There’s no excuse for Domestic Abuse!  That’s the message Middlesbrough footballers were aiming to get across to supporters at the Barclays Premier League home match against Reading on Saturday 1st March 2008.

It was the start of International Women’s Week and the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership marked the occasion by teaming up with Middlesbrough Football Club to highlight the help and support available to domestic violence victims.

"There’s no excuse for Domestic Abuse!"

The team warmed up in T-shirts displaying the logo “There’s no excuse for Domestic Abuse!” and ran out of the tunnel ahead of the match underneath flags displaying the same message.

Middlesbrough Football Club spokesman, Dave Allan said: "Domestic violence is a serious issue so Middlesbrough FC is very happy to support any campaign against it and educate that there is never an excuse for it.  We hope our high profile support for this campaign will help it reach a high number of people throughout Teesside and beyond."

Posters were displayed in the stadium’s toilets raising awareness about support services. Meanwhile information was also displayed about the SAFE project - a non-court mandated perpetrator programme that helps men overcome their abusive behaviour.  

Performance and Planning Officer with the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, Laura Gourlay said: “We want more victims to come forward and access services.  We also hope that this will help raise awareness among the wider community so that they can help anyone they know that is being abused to get the support they need.”

Contact us

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence report it to the Cleveland Police Domestic Violence Unit (01642 303170) or call My Sister’s Place for help and support (01642 241864.)  In an emergency always dial 999.