MEDIA RELEASE – First Light Launches “They Think It’s All Over” Campaign

First Light, a leading charity in Swindon & Wiltshire, supporting anyone affected by sexual violence as well as church-related abuse nationally, has launched a groundbreaking campaign titled “They Think It’s All Over”. 

 The initiative comes off the back of a huge summer of sporting events including the Olympics launching this Friday and aims to highlight the hidden corners of abuse within sport, emphasising that the issue extends beyond the final whistle of the recent Euro’s tournament and affects all ages and all genders in all sports.

First Light are using the summer of sporting events and beyond to make the case that whilst football clubs constitute only 12% of all sports clubs in the UK, the problem is not confined to football alone. 

 Every sport can potentially harbour links and be environments in which sexual violence and domestic abuse take place, impacting individuals of all ages and genders.

 “There are approximately 151,000 sports clubs in the UK, from professional leagues to grassroots clubs. There are over 50 different sports and their affiliated clubs listed on the Wiltshire and Swindon Wasp website alone (Directory | Wiltshire & Swindon Sport (wiltssport.org))

We’re calling for better safeguarding measures to protect players, fan bases, supporters, followers, friends, and families,” said someone at First Light. 

“No one should fear abuse when they step onto the pitch, the court, or the field and our campaign seeks to ensure that people know that sexual violence and domestic abuse is not just over now the Euro 2024 tournament is over, this is a problem that affects all areas of society and all sports. They may think it is all over but it simply is not”

The increase in demand for First Light’s services in Swindon and Wiltshire is a compelling testament to the crucial role they play in the community. In 2022-2023, there were 319 new referrals to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Service in Swindon & Wiltshire. First Light are now providing the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, which has allowed them to offer more support for survivors, ensuring they are never alone on their path to justice.

The campaign across social media and the press will share statistics and stories from a range of sports over the next twelve months to coincide with forthcoming major sporting events such as the Olympics and the start of domestic seasons for a variety of sports including locally in Swindon & Wiltshire, demonstrating that abuse in and outside of sport is a widespread problem that requires urgent attention and societal change from us all.