Match to raise awareness of violence against women

It is the first time Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City have played each other in the Women's National League

A football match dedicated to raising awareness of violence against women and girls is being played in Plymouth.

On Wednesday Plymouth Argyle Women will play Exeter City Women at Home Park - the first time the traditional rivals in the men's game have played each other in the Women's National League.

The match is being held in support of three charities and voluntary organisations working in the field of improving safety for women.

More than half of female and non-binary football fans questioned for a survey by anti-discrimination charity Kick it Out last month, said they had experienced sexist behaviour or language at matches.

'A safe space for all'

One of the charities raising awareness at the match is Trevi as part of its ENOUGH campaign.

Also involved are Her Game Too, a national community interest company run by female football fans, and M.A.N Culture which allies men and boys with the common cause of reducing violence against women and girls in Plymouth.

Hannah Shead, Trevi’s chief executive officer, said: "By championing the ENOUGH campaign in collaboration with Plymouth Argyle, Her Game Too and MAN Culture, it reinforces the message that intimidation, harassment and sexist abuse whether directed at female supporters or players is not acceptable."

Joanne Moseley, head of women’s football operations at Argyle, said: "We strive to make Home Park a safe space for all, and Argyle as a football club has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination in all its forms."

The dedicated match follows a city-wide campaign led by Trevi to highlight the issue of violence against women and girls coinciding with the European football championships earlier this year.

Police forces in England and Wales recorded 351 incidents of football-related domestic abuse reports during the championships, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has said.