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Billy Joe Saunders criticised by domestic abuse charity over "shocking" video


Billy Joe Saunders’ conduct has been branded “dangerous and shocking” by a domestic abuse charity.

The world champion filmed himself appearing to encourage men to assault their partners during the coronavirus lockdown.

Saunders has since apologised but has been banned from boxing while the incident is investigated.

And leading charity Refuge have released a statement condemning the boxer’s beahviour.

Chief Executive Sandra Horley said: “Videos like this reinforce what we already know: society’s attitude towards domestic violence simply has to change.

“Almost one in three women aged 16-59 in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse at some point in her lifetime.

Billy Joe Saunders celebrates with the WBO World Super-Middleweight belt in 2019

“Domestic abuse is never a joke, it should never be trivialised. Doing so serves only to normalise violence against women and girls when instead we should be steadfastly challenging it.

“What sort of message does this video send to survivors of domestic abuse? That their experiences are not valid? That the abuse they experienced is trivial? That their experience is appropriate material for online jokes?

“Across England and Wales two women every week are killed by a current of former partner. This statistic should horrify us all, and should mean any attempts to trivialise domestic abuse are met with resistance and shame.

Saunders, in action against Marceleo Coceres, has caused controversy

“Right now, across the country, women are isolated at home with abusive partners. Sharing content like this is as dangerous as it is shocking and we should call it out for what it is; unacceptable.”

Saunders has vowed to donate £25,000 to domestic abuse charities and has revealed he has since received death threats.

His promoter Eddie Hearn labelled his fighter’s behaviour “idiotic”.

Saunders’ promoter Eddie Hearn admitted the most recent footage was “unacceptable”

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He told talkSPORT: “I was appalled really. It was so idiotic, it was so frustrating because I know Billy well. It’s one step forward, four steps back with Billy Joe Saunders and it is frustrating.

“You just can’t do it, especially when you’re in your position. It’s unacceptable for Joe Bloggs down the street to do it. It’s much more unacceptable for a world champion boxer to be doing it.

“Thinking you’re having a laugh, or not having a laugh, young people are watching that video. People who are in abusive relationships are watching that video. You cannot do it, it’s unacceptable.”





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