Abstract
BackgroundThere is little information on care-seeking patterns for sexual assault and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in emergency department (ED) admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.MethodsObservational ED admissions data from The Ottawa Hospital were analyzed from March 4 to May 5 (62 days) in 2020 (COVID-19 period) and compared to the same period in 2018 (pre-COVID-19). Total and mean weekly admissions were calculated for all-cause ED admissions and for sexual and domestic violence cases. A Poisson regression (without offset term) was used to calculate the weekly case count ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between the two time periods. Case characteristics were compared using chi-square tests, and percent differences were calculated.ResultsCompared to pre-COVID-19, total ED admissions dropped by 1111.22 cases per week (32.9% reduction), and the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program cases dropped 4.66 cases per week. The weekly case count ratio for sexual assault cases was 0.47 (95% CI 0.79–0.27), equivalent of 53.49% reduction in cases, and 0.52 (95% CI 0.93–0.29), equivalent to a 48.45% reduction in physical assault cases. The characteristics of presenting cases were similar by age (median 25 years), sex (88.57% female), assault type (57.14% sexual assault, 48.57% physical assault), and location (31.43% patient’s home, 40.00% assailant’s home). There was a significant increase in psychological abuse (11.69% vs 28.57%) and assaults occurring outdoors (5.19% vs 22.86%).ConclusionThis study found a decrease in ED admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence during COVID-19, despite societal conditions that elevate risk of violence. Trends in care-seeking and assault patterns will require ongoing monitoring to inform the provision of optimal support for individuals experiencing violence, particularly as countries begin to re-open or lock-down again.
Highlights
There is little information on care-seeking patterns for sexual assault and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic
In the 2020 COVID-19 period, the weekly case count ratio for the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program was 0.45 compared to 2018 preCOVID-19 period, or a 54.55% reduction in weekly counts
Sexual assault cases were 0.47 or a 53.49% reduction in weekly cases presenting for care, and physical assault cases were 0.52 or a 48.45% reduction in weekly cases presenting for care
Summary
There is little information on care-seeking patterns for sexual assault and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in emergency department (ED) admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. There is limited empirical evidence on care-seeking for sexual assault and domestic violence [11,12,13], with data that can be monitored over time to investigate how the patterns of violence change throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence from previous pandemics and emergencies [14,15,16,17] has identified that the most common factors that increase the risk for violence include economic insecurity, poverty-related stress, job loss or reduced working hours, quarantine, and social isolation. Evidence of increased violence may not surface immediately, making it difficult to assess its burden and how to prevent violence and reduce risks
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