NADIA JEFFERSON-BROWN looks at how the authorities are preparing for an upsurge in domestic violence during the World Cup, and speaks to one York woman who has suffered at the hands of an abusive husband.

FOOTBALL fans are to face hard-hitting images of domestic abuse and street disorder in a bid to curb booze-fuelled crime during the World Cup.

Reports of domestic violence rose dramatically during Euro 2004 for the York area, triggering the new campaign targeting the World Cup period in York and North Yorkshire, in a bid to protect others from post-match aggression.

Organisers do not intend to pull any punches as they highlight the consequences of alcohol consumption - particularly after people have been sinking pints while soaking up sporting action.

Police recorded 1,250 domestic violence incidents in York between April 2005 and January 2006. Alcohol played a part in 632 of the cases, with drugs contributing to 44.

Women accounted for 1,012 of the complaints; 494 were repeat victims.

During Euro 2004 there were 195 domestic abuse incidents between June 10 and July 31 in the city of York - which was up by 26 per cent on the same period in 2003 when there were 154 incidents.

The campaign brings together wide-ranging agencies including the police licensing unit and the Safer York Partnership.

One of the driving forces behind the initiative, Joanne Ward, domestic violence co-ordinator for York and Selby, said: "We are concerned about what will happen. There are contributing factors surrounding the World Cup - nice weather, increased drinking of alcohol, along with whether England win or lose. My major concern is for the victims.

"In 2004, when it was the Euro competition, domestic abuse went up by 26 per cent based on our figures for York. We can't attribute that totally to Euro 2004 - sometimes you get a lift in figures in school holidays, but not as high as that.

"We hope to put the posters up in licensed premises across the city and A&E departments - anywhere where people will take notice to make people aware of the consequences of drinking alcohol."

One such poster will bear the words: "Friends to enemies in five pints." Free bottle stops - or "Spikeys" - will also be handed out to stop people's drinks being spiked.

Plans are also in the pipeline to display images of violence and disorder on a big screen in York city centre after the Friday, June 16, race meeting at York's Knavesmire.

"We have a big target audience then," said Joanne.

"York Races attracts about 20,000. The poster campaign will be on then and we have got images of street crime and domestic abuse, and footage showing people committing disorder and throwing up in the street. These are real events.

"The campaign will be hard hitting, using shock tactics. It is about getting the message across - that people can be out enjoying themselves, then it suddenly changes. One minute they are laughing, then it can suddenly become volatile."

The big screen will also be touring the wider area, visiting Selby and Tadcaster on June 2, Hambleton on June 3, Ryedale on June 8, Scarborough on June 10, and Harrogate on June 17.

York Women's Aid is backing the campaign. The group helps more than 1,000 women annually with its refuge housing up to 100 women with their children each year.

Sarah Hill, its manager, said: "It is a great time to run the campaign because we know the links between alcohol and increased reporting of violence crime against women."

She also said it was vital victims were aware of the support available.

"Even if people are not at the point where they want to leave a relationship, they might want to look at their options and see what support there is. They can always contact us."

Elaine Curtis, drug and community liaison manager at the Safer York Partnership, which is part of the campaign, said: "Alcohol does figure largely in domestic violence cases. Many violent incidents have alcohol as a factor. It gives people a false perception of what they are capable of. They get very gung-ho, and that can make them dangerous."

York Women's Aid can be contacted on 01904 646630.

'I had been married for eight weeks and already had two black eyes'

A once-loving husband is now making his bed in a prison cell, after inflicting a terrifying campaign of physical and mental abuse on his devoted wife.

Memories of being held captive with a knife to her throat are still raw, as Carole (not her real name) reads the anniversary card he has sent, which states: 'Sorry I was not there to spend that special day with you.'

"My home had become my torture chamber," said the 41-year-old professional, from Acomb, who hopes both abusers and abused will read her story and seek help.

Her ordeal started with a whirlwind romance in November 2003, with the couple marrying in April 2004.

"He swept me off my feet, always attentive, so loving."

But in July, her new husband lashed out without provocation. "He punched me and ripped this house apart. My face was a mess - blood everywhere.

"I thought it would never happen to me. But I had only been married eight weeks and had two black eyes.

"I was adamant I would never have him back. But he pleaded.

"He was always nice to get what he wanted. I withdrew my statement because he was my husband and I absolutely loved him.

"I thought everyone deserved another chance. His charges were dropped from actual bodily harm to common assault."

York Magistrates bound him over for a year.

"Then the mental abuse started," recalled Carole, who has two grown-up children.

"He spat at my face and poured rum over my head, which burnt my eyes. He ripped up all my photos, destroyed my wedding things. I had to smuggle stuff out and store them at work. He didn't want me to have anything.

"At the same time he told me he loved me. It got worse. My fear started whenever I got home. My home had become my torture chamber."

Carole arranged appointments for her husband to see a doctor and counsellor to address his behaviour.

He never attended.

"They all say they are sorry - but they have to prove it," she said.

After an incident in December 2004 when he drove them to woodland and threatened to kill her, they separated until February, 2005.

A month later, he pinned her against the wall, a knife in his hand.

Desperate, Carole sought help from York's Domestic Violence Unit.

"I was humiliated. I felt it was my fault for taking him back. But people at Women's Aid are fantastic. They saved my life.

"Men like that take women and destroy them in the name of 'love'. But that's not love."

York Women's Aid provided a key worker who lent support, visited regularly, and ensured Carole never felt alone.

Despite a restraining order, her husband pleaded with her to meet him.

But when they met, on June 30, 2005, he realised she would no longer take him back and locked them inside her home.

"He pinned me down and held a knife at my neck. He said: 'If you won't have me back, you leave me no choice. I have to kill you.' I thought of my daughter finding me dead.

"He was threatening me, poking this knife into my stomach."

She remained a prisoner until concerned colleagues knocked on her door the next morning. "He told me to get rid of them. I opened the door and just ran."

Her husband was charged with actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and theft.

In court he admitted the actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 12 months behind bars.

The other charges were kept on file.

Updated: 09:09 Monday, May 08, 2006