Australian boxer jokes about domestic violence spike on Origin night

An Australian professional boxer has deleted a video in which he joked about domestic violence rates increasing on the night of a major sporting event. Benjamin Hussain, a welterweight boxer from Queensland, made the remarks on Instagram ahead of the State of Origin decider, a popular rugby league match.

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Boys, in Queensland domestic violence goes up 40 per cent on Origin night and Nathan Cleary, the chin, is going to make it double. Hopefully all your dogs and partners are wearing mouthguards when they go to sleep tonight. Let us go boys, the Blues are on.

In the now-deleted video, Hussain said, "Boys, in Queensland domestic violence goes up 40 per cent on Origin night and Nathan Cleary, the chin, is going to make it double." He added, "Hopefully all your dogs and partners are wearing mouthguards when they go to sleep tonight."

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Comments like this in a year in which 36 Australian women have been killed by men are unacceptable.

Our Watch, a leading organization focused on preventing violence against women and children, strongly condemned Hussain's comments. Patty Kinnersly, the CEO of Our Watch, stated that trivializing domestic violence is unacceptable, especially in a year marked by numerous femicides in Australia. She emphasized that such jokes can contribute to a culture that excuses or downplays abuse, highlighting the crucial role public figures and sports communities play in promoting respect and equality.

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Research shows that attitudes and behaviours are shaped by the messages we see and hear every day. When domestic violence is trivialised or normalised through so-called 'jokes', it can contribute to a culture that excuses or downplays abuse.

Research supports the claim of increased domestic violence during major sporting events. Studies show a 40% average increase in domestic assaults on State of Origin nights, with a 71% rise in non-domestic assaults around the series. Similar spikes have been observed in other countries during high-profile sporting events like the World Cup and American football games.

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That's why it's important that public figures and sporting communities help reinforce the message that violence against women is never OK, and that everyone has a role to play in promoting respect, equality and healthy relationships.