Educating Romania’s youth to combat domestic violence through football

Romania is starting to see changes in the way it reacts to domestic violence; it’s the result of a new partnership between the Romanian Football Association and a women’s rights NGO.

The Romanian Football Association (FRF) and Centrul FILIA have joined forces in the context of the European Union’s GOALSCORE project, which provides specialised training for coaches on issues related to gender violence.

“The training equips coaches with the knowledge and tools to identify signs of abuse and intervene, when necessary,” the feminist NGO told Euractiv, explaining that they offer ongoing support to players and coaches who need more information or resources regarding gender violence.

Ensuring that players and coaches have access to the information and support needed to create a safer environment through football is a tactic that is proving helpful for Romania.

“The fact that football is the most popular sport in the country and can also be such a great social instrument helps us create an authentic environment where we can address issues like gender-based violence and at the same time reach adolescents - and people of all ages - with very different backgrounds,” the FRF told Euractiv.

“Hopefully, this will offer them a better understanding of the society they live and grow up in, but also some tools in how to tackle certain scenarios of violence when facing them. Football teams, when managed correctly, can become real safe spaces for teenagers, where they can find counselling and help if they need it.”

Societal impact

While Centrul FILIA acknowledges that progress towards gender equality and combating gender violence remains slow, discussions about healthy relationships, recognising signs of abuse, and knowing how to respond to abusive situations are crucial steps toward creating a safer society for women and girls.

Representatives of the FRF highlighted that the teams involved in the GOALSCORE project have been receptive to its mission. This is the first step in making people more aware of how gender-based violence manifests and how to offer support for the victims.

“We hope to expand the visibility of this project further in the future, using football as an example of how we can fight gender-based violence by creating safe spaces and offering support to the victims in their micro-communities.”

Learning lessons

The unique partnership between a football association and a women’s rights NGO has offered all parties involved a chance to reconsider the roles they can play in society to help combat painful phenomena such as domestic violence.

The FRF stated that through exchanges with Centrul FILIA, they are now more aware of the role they can play in improving the situation of women in football, but also in society.

“Their input in how to talk and how to approach the subject of gender-based violence in front of people who might experience it is especially valuable to us, as representatives of the Association, and to the coaches, who work every day with the teams.”

Meanwhile, Centrul FILIA highlighted that reaching a broader audience using sport as a platform to communicate important messages is a meaningful way of promoting and educating a healthier, more secure society.

“When organisations from different sectors come together, their combined strengths can create more impactful solutions to social issues like gender violence.”

Multiple projects

Besides GOALSCORE, which, according to the FRF, is one of the most important projects in helping combat gender-based violence with specific tools that can be used on the football pitch, the football governing body is involved in other projects of similar nature.

One of them is EPLAY, which promotes fair play behaviour among parents of children aged 8-14 years playing football, with a special look to interethnic and gender discrimination.

Another project is FAIRER. It addresses radicalisation through sport, particularly football, by developing, testing and validating guidelines for football stakeholders aimed at preventing youth radicalisation.

Resources and guidelines for victims

If someone is in immediate danger or their life is threatened, the advice is that they should call 112 without delay. It is crucial for anyone experiencing abuse to know that they are not at fault and that they are not alone. In addition to seeking immediate help, victims can obtain a medico-legal certificate from forensic medicine units, file a criminal complaint with the police, and request a protection order from the court.

Witnesses to domestic violence are advised to call 112 immediately and can request to remain anonymous when speaking with the operator.

Breaking the cycle of domestic violence is difficult, and victims are often isolated from friends and family, feeling like they have no one to turn to. Assisting victims means providing resources, and the project has provided several resources, including FILIA Center | Centrul FILIA, ANAIS Association, Fundația Sensiblu, and a national helpline on 0800 500 333.

[By Xhoi Zajmi I Edited by Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]