COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence, and victims’ access to services: findings from a survey of victim service providers in the US

The pandemic paradox: The consequences of COVID‐19 on domestic violence

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic: Social distancing and the vulnerability to domestic violence.

Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic had brought unexpected challenges in all sectors of life, from the social, economic to health sectors, particularly public health. One of the most worrying effects of Covid-19 is the increase in cases of domestic violence. Aim : This scoping review was to determine trends in domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic and strategies for handling it Method The method used in this paper is the Scoping Review study. We searched for relevant articles on 4 databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest and EBSco), in English, published in 2019-2021. Of the 434 articles identified, there were 6 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Result There were 6 themes we got related to domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic, namely: 1) The number of cases of domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic; 2) Risk factors for domestic violence; 3) Victims and perpetrators of domestic violence; 4) Types of domestic violence; 5) Impact of domestic violence; 6) Strategies for handling domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion The Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on domestic violence cases, where the majority of victims were women and most of whom experienced recurrent domestic violence. The majority of the articles in this scoping review were quantitative research, we recommend that future research can be examined deeper into the understanding, experiences and needs of victims and perpetrators of domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic including the roles of cross-sectors and obstacles experienced in handling domestic violence in the future. the covid-19 pandemic. The results of this study are expected to provide input in making policies related to the prevention and reduction of domestic violence cases during the Covid-19 pandemic.

ObjectivesThis scoping review aims to assess the situation of violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America, mainly in Brazil. MethodsThis study consists of a Scoping Review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. To conduct this review, we mapped scientific evidence on domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion criteria were: journal articles on domestic violence set in Latin American countries, particularly Brazil, in the context of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, published between March 2020 and June of 2021. Articles that were not published in journals, studies focusing on child violence or the elderly population, suicide-related approaches, editorials and letters to readers were excluded. The databases used were: National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Embase, COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease, Scopus Preview, Web of Science, LILAC's, Database of the best Evidence-Based Health (Epistemonikos) with the following strategic keywords: "domestic violence" "female'/exp OR female" "domestic violence AND women" "SARS-CoV-19") AND ("domestic violence") SARS-CoV-2" OR "2020-nCoV". The databases above were accessed in July 2021. The articles selected from the databases were synthetized following the double-check procedure and the topics that were most relevant to the subject discussed were separated. The articles used were in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. ResultsWe discussed domestic violence against women in the context of social isolation, showing a significant increase and highlighting aggravating factors - financial instability, exacerbation of the female workload, increase in drug and alcohol consumption, lack of access to care services - and statistics that demonstrate the significant increase in countries such as Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay and Brazil, especially in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, among other states. Despite the meaningful increase in the number of cases and the aggravating factors for domestic violence against women in Latin America and Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reality of underreporting, resulting, among others, from limited legal, social and economic support and the lack of well-prepared intersectoral services may be a limitation in this scenario, since the situation can be even more acute. We presented measures adopted in Brazil and alternatives to confront the critical situation of domestic violence against women, aggravated by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.The 18 most relevant articles were read twice by each author, following the “Double-Check” protocol. The articles used addressed important questions around the established goals: (a) characteristics of the current scenarios in Latin America and, specifically, in Brazil, with regard to violence against women; (b) factors that intensify this type of violence; (c) numbers that demonstrate an increase in cases; and finally (e) strategies to combat domestic violence against women. A total of 595 articles were found, then, based on the abstracts presented, 18 articles were used to write this scoping review.

Safeguarding Children and Young People During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Sexual violence is a degrading act against a person's body without consent that causes physical, psychological and sexual suffering. Meanwhile, acts of domestic violence include physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, individual social space is limited and creates economic pressure which has implications for cases of sexual violence and domestic violence in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the incidence of unnatural deaths before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a descriptive method with a retrospective study design using medical records from 805 victims of sexual violence and 520 victims of domestic violence. The population of this study were victims of sexual violence and domestic violence (2017-2021) who were examined at the POLRI Hospital East Jakarta according to inclusion criteria. The results showed that the frequency of victims of sexual violence cases was 805 victims and domestic violence was 520 victims. The frequency of victims in cases of sexual violence occurred the most in 2020 or during the COVID-19 pandemic as many as 236 victims. Based on gender, the most cases were women as many as 222 victims occurred in 2020. The age range of the most sexual violence cases occurred in 2020 with an age range of 12-16 years as many as 99 victims. The highest frequency of victims in domestic violence cases occurred in 2020 or during the COVID-19 pandemic as many as 161 victims. Based on gender, the most women as many as 133 victims occurred in 2020. The age range of the most domestic violence cases occurred in 2021 with an age range of 26-35 as many as 55 victims. It can be concluded that the incidence of sexual violence and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

P.1.k.012 Detecting domestic violence: the use of revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2) in Italy

Domestic violence is a common phenomenon all over the world and in every environment, regardless of the level of education, material conditions, place of residence, race, or even religion. Historically viewed as a private issue, domestic violence is now recognized as a gender-based crime and is a significant public health problem affecting the well-being of victims, their families and communities. Numerous evidence shows that domestic and sexual violence escalate in times of disasters and pandemics. One of the main reasons for the escalation of domestic violence during the period of anomie is social isolation, economic instability, loss of income and related stress, as well as chaos and change of legislation, including the introduction of introduction of restrictions. Such periods of forced intimacy between partners extend the time they spend together and make it more difficult for victims of domestic violence to “escape” from home. The aim of the article is to present both the scale of the phenomenon of violence in a global perspective and the actions taken in selected countries, including Poland and Ukraine, for the victims of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research focuses on the following questions: What is the scale of the phenomenon of violence during a pandemic? What measures have countries taken to support victims of violence? The article is based on the monographic method, an analysis of available scientific sources (published in English, Polish and Ukrainian) describing the diagnosed phenomenon. The article may contribute to further research and reflection on this issue, especially in the current political situation in the world (war in Ukraine), which is conducive to aggressive behaviour.

Domestic violence during COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women registered for antenatal care and selected adverse pregnancy outcomes in Amhara region Ethiopia: Prospective cohort study design

Prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, domestic and family violence (DFV) had been recognised globally as an epidemic in its own right. Further, research has established that during times of crisis and/or after disasters, rates of DFV can escalate. The COVID-19 pandemic has been no exception, with emerging research from around the world confirming that the public health measures and social effects associated with COVID-19 have increased the frequency and severity of DFV in various countries. In contributing to this evolving body of literature, this paper reports on the findings of a national research project that examined the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on DFV in Australia. This nationwide survey of service providers indicates the public health responses to COVID-19 such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, while necessary to stem the pandemic, have had profound effects on increasing women’s risk and vulnerability to domestic violence, while at the same time making it more difficult for women to leave violent relationships and access support. However, this vulnerability is not evenly distributed. The pandemic pushed marginalised voices further underground, with many unable to seek help, locked down with their abuser. Our survey sought to amplify the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities; Indigenous communities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, + (LGBTIQ+) communities; women locked down with school-age children; those already in violent relationships; and those whose first experience of domestic violence coincided with the onset of the pandemic. For logistical and ethical reasons, we could only access their voices through the responses from the domestic violence sector.

The measures implemented to combat the COVID-19 pandemic led populations to confinement at home, with increased risk of domestic violence due to extended shared time between victims and offenders. Evidence on domestic violence in times of pandemic is lacking. This study examines the occurrence of domestic violence, associated factors and help seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted in Portugal between April and October 2020 by NOVA National School of Public Health. The survey was disseminated through partner networks, media, and institutions working within the scope of violence. Data were collected on the experience of domestic violence, and help seeking during the pandemic. In a total of 1,062 respondents, 146 (13.7%) reported having suffered domestic violence during the pandemic, including psychological (13.0%, n = 138), sexual (1.0%, n = 11), and physical (0.9%, n = 10) abuse. Overall, the lower the age, the more the reported domestic violence. Also, a higher proportion of participants who perceived difficulties to make ends meet during the pandemic reported domestic violence. Differences between women and men and across educational levels on reported domestic violence were not statistically significant. Bivariate logistic analyses showed that, among women, reported domestic violence was more likely among those with up to secondary education compared to higher education. Most of the victims did not seek help (62.3%), the main reasons being considering it unnecessary, that help would not change anything, and feeling embarrassed about what had happened. Only 4.3% of the victims sought police help. The most common reasons for not coming forward to form a complaint were considering the abuse was not severe and believing the police would not do anything. Our findings indicate that domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic was experienced by both sexes and across different age groups. There is a need for investing in specific support systems for victims of domestic violence to be applied to pandemic contexts, especially targeting those in more vulnerable situations and potentially underserved.

Background: Sexual violence is widespread, affects women of all cultures globally, breeds in silence, and finds legitimacy through cultural norms. Proprietors are partners, husbands, family, and friends. It may be domestic violence (DV), sexual (SV), a serious violation of women’s rights as human beings. It is an important cause of physical, psychological and sexual reproductive health problems. Aims of the study: the aim is assessing domestic sexual violence on women's reproductive health during the coronavirus pandemic. Methodology: A descriptive analytical study was conducted on women exposed to physical domestic violence. Non Probabilistic Intentional sample of (150) of women exposed to violence by a member of her family through the questionnaire for the period of 26th Jun to 28th Feb, 2020. The information was collected by filling out the questionnaire, and the validity and reliability were determined through the exploratory study, and descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used in analyzing the data. Results: The result of the study showed that the highest percentage (79.4%) of the study sample members ranged in was at age group (20 to 34) years, most of whom were housewives, three- quarters of the study sample had a low educational level, and half of the study sample had a low socioeconomic status, and that the number of births ranging (2-5) children and more. Conclusion: The results indicated that two-thirds of the study sample suffers of impact sexual domestic violence on them during childbearing age. Recommendations: The study recommends that women be screened for any type of domestic violence during childbearing age. Incorporating domestic violence topics into education curricula, using social media, the availability of health services, and supporting the strengthening of cooperation between social agencies, justice and the police through law enforcement and research to promote and protect women's rights.

What is the Effect of COVID-19 Social Distancing on Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma Related to Domestic Violence?

IntroductionDomestic violence (social, legal, and health violence) is the most common type of violence against women. Due to factors such as the current quarantine, this type of violence has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to assess the frequency of domestic violence against women and identify the risk factor among Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis online cross-sectional study was conducted on 203 Iranian women during May–June 2020. Data were collected using a domestic violence questionnaire, which measured three forms of violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual violence. A link of the questionnaire was distributed among anonymous subjects through social networking apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. The subjects were asked to complete the questionnaire based on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and a regression model.ResultsThe descriptive results showed that the mean domestic violence against women in all the participants was 34.9 (SD: 17.28). In addition, 26.6% (n = 84), 26.1% (n = 53), and 21.2% of the subjects (n = 43) experienced high levels of physical, emotional, and sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The regression model also indicated that lower age, illiteracy/primary education, previous marriage(s), and unwanted/unwise marriage were the significant risk factors for domestic violence against women.ConclusionAccording to the results, domestic violence against women is common among Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, strategies are urgently needed to prevent and minimize such domestic violence, and such strategies could be adopted through providing educational opportunities, raising awareness, promoting wanted/wise marriage, and providing social support and rehabilitation opportunities to vulnerable social groups, especially vulnerable women.

Despite extant evidence that domestic violence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in Western developed countries, relatively little attention has been paid to the pandemic’s impact on domestic violence in non-Western contexts. This study aimed to explore the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on domestic violence in South Korea through the lens of professionals’ experiences and perceptions. Applying semi-structured one-on-one in-depth interviews with fifteen professionals who provided support services to domestic violence victims, such as women, children, and older adults, we identified significant changes in domestic violence in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggested that while reported domestic violence cases decreased during social distancing, unreported victimization and its severity may have increased. Changes in the dynamics of domestic violence were also highlighted, including reduced exposure to mandated reporters, an increase in online harassment, and the economic impact of the pandemic, which exacerbated domestic conflicts, particularly among women. This study identified how the pandemic affected the trends and features of domestic violence, providing detailed insights into the evolving problem. Based on the findings, we offer recommendations to strengthen support services and develop effective policies to address the needs of domestic violence victims.