Millions of families worldwide will love watching the Football World Cup together, but for others it will be a time of fear and horror.

The truth is that domestic violence will rise sharply during this competition.

Cumbria County Council's Safeguarding Families Partnership is running events in each corner of the county this month highlighting domestic abuse in line with NSPCC concerns.

One child told Childline that her big brother, drunk after an England match, had hit his mother in the face.

Another was surprised to learn that school peers had watched games as a family. In her house, nobody was allowed near the television when her father was watching a match and everyone lived in fear of the consequences if he became angry.

The safeguarding partnership is recognising 16 Days of Activism Against Domestic Abuse which end on December 10.

The partnership is holoding Early Help Roadshows aimed to enable people to ask questions and to look at what can be done as early as possible to stay safe.

The last three events are in:

  • Botcherby Community Centre, Victoria Rd, Carlisle, CA1 2UE on Monday December 12 from 1.30 to 4.30
  • The Forum, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1HH on Tuesday December 13 from 9.30-12.30
  • Kendal Town Hall, 9a Lowther St, Kendal, LA9 4DL on Thursday December 15 from 9.30-12.30