Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown evoked great worries among professionals in the field of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) as they expected a rise of the phenomenon. While many countries reported increased DVA, the Netherlands did not. To understand this discrepancy and the overall impact of the lockdown on DVA support services, we interviewed DVA professionals about their experiences with DVA during the rise of COVID-19, the impact of the lockdown on clients and working conditions, and views on eHealth and online tools.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted among 16 DVA professionals with various specializations. This data was analyzed using open thematic coding and content analysis.ResultsMost professionals did not see an increase in DVA reports but they did notice more severe violence. They experienced less opportunities to detect DVA and worried about their clients’ wellbeing and the quality of (online) care. Furthermore, their working conditions rapidly changed, with working from home and online, and they expressed frustration, insecurity and loneliness. Professionals feel eHealth and online tools are not always suitable but they do see them as an opportunity to increase reach and maintain services when physical contact is not possible.ConclusionThis study suggests DVA was probably under-detected during the lockdown rather than not having increased. The Dutch system heavily relies on professionals to detect and report DVA, suggesting a need for critical evaluation of the accessibility of professional help. Professionals experienced significant challenges and should themselves be supported psychologically and in their changed work practices to maintain their ability to aid survivors.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown evoked great worries among professionals in the field of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) as they expected a rise of the phenomenon
A flexible interview guide was used containing questions on the professionals’ experiences in the COVID-19 pandemic regarding DVA, working conditions, and the use of online tools / eHealth, such as: “Have you seen an increase in DVA or intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) in the pandemic?”, “Has your working day changed since the pandemic? If so, can you explain how?”, and “Do you think online tools / eHealth is a good option during the pandemic? And why?”
In total, 16 professionals and experts were interviewed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, about the following three main themes: a) Domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, b) Working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and c) The use of online tools / eHealth during the COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown evoked great worries among professionals in the field of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) as they expected a rise of the phenomenon. While many countries reported increased DVA, the Netherlands did not To understand this discrepancy and the overall impact of the lockdown on DVA support services, we interviewed DVA professionals about their experiences with DVA during the rise of COVID-19, the impact of the lockdown on clients and working conditions, and views on eHealth and online tools. In the beginning of March 2020, the Netherlands implemented the first measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 [3] culminating in the so-called ‘intelligent lockdown’ on 23 March This approach entailed measures such as working from home with the exception of essential workers, closure of restaurants, clubs, hairdressers, gyms, and schools, limitations in traveling and meeting other people [4]. The Dutch lockdown was more lenient than the lockdowns in France, Italy and Spain but comparable to Germany and Belgium [8,9,10]
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