As the starting whistle blows for the AFL grand final, women and children shelters across Tasmania will be preparing for an influx of people escaping from a known-surge in domestic violence on these days.
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Engender Equality chief executive Alina Thomas said shelters and women services have known and dealt with the grand final surge for decades.
She said finals-related violence was a reality for many Tasmanian women and those in other AFL states.
"For years, the shelters would put on extra staff and make sure there were extra beds available knowing there were going to be more people accessing their support. So we do know that there will be a large spike in violence," Ms Thomas said.
"Now, there is evidence that has measured the actual increase in violence."
Tasmania Police said that an increase in family violence incidents on AFL grand final day has been noted in the past, however this was not the case in 2020.
In 2018 Victoria Police's chief commissioner said it experiences a 20 per cent rise in domestic violence incidents on AFL grand final day.
Research La Trobe University's Centre for Alcohol Policy found a 40 per cent increase in family violence on State of Origin nights in New South Wales after accessing police assault data from several years to find an average of 11 extra domestic violence assaults occurring on those days.
This study attributed the spikes to alcohol consumption and the aggressive nature of the sport, with masculinity, tribalism and alcohol marketing and promotion also highlighted as factors.
"It is bizarre, that we have the information that this occurs, but it is not something that we actively address immediately," Ms Thomas said.
"In terms of harm reduction, what we might hope for is for people to really self-assess their behaviours on grand final and to assess whether they should stay away from their families.
"This is an opportunity for people who use violence to think 'do they need to think about how much alcohol they drink, do they need to make plans to stay elsewhere."
In 2018 AFL signed a commitment with Our Watch and other organisations to encourage respectful relationships and create inclusive, equitable and safe environments for everyone.
Tasmania Police said it will always ready to respond to, and investigate matters of family violence.
"People are encouraged to report family violence matters to police as soon as possible....together we must show that we won't tolerate family violence."
Family violence can be reported to Tasmania Police on 131 444. In an emergency call 000. The Family Violence Response and Referral Line offers counselling, information and other support services on 1800 633 937.
