COVID-19 and violence: a research call to action

Abstract

COVID-19 related guidelines and movement restrictions are designed to protect the public’s health and reduce disease transmission; yet, COVID-19 related restrictions on movement including social distancing, isolation, quarantine, and shelter-in-place orders have an unknown effect on violence and abuse within relationships. As the pandemic has progressed, many have justifiably speculated that such restrictions may pose a danger to the safety and well-being of people experiencing such violence. Early in the pandemic, countries hard hit by COVID-19 began raising the alarm bell about the impacts of the disease on IPV occurrence. Police in China report that 90% of the causes of recent IPV cases could be attributed to the COVID-19 epidemic. Rising fears and anxiety about prolonged movement restrictions, increased economic strain and diminished health care capacity to support survivors are among the potential reasons for such dramatic effects. Under normal circumstances: low income, unemployment, economic stress, depression, emotional insecurity and social isolation are all risk factors for using violence against partners. Many of these factors may worsen in the context of COVID-19. Despite the urgency in addressing COVID-19, existing health concerns like Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) persist—and may well be worsened by the virus. We simply do not yet know the effects of COVID-19 on violence, nor do we know which interventions work best to prevent and respond to it within the context of the pandemic. The vast majority of information available about IPV and violence during the pandemic has been based on anecdotal reports. The call to action for the research community is clear. We must systematically measure the effects of COVID-19 and movement related restrictions on violence. As always when researching violence, serious consideration must be given to ethics and safety. Violence researchers must mobilize to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on violence and human health.

Domestic violence detection amid the COVID-19 pandemic: the value of the WHO questionnaire in emergency medicine

“…via tweets. Also for this problem, a solidarity support from community by additional resources provided by governments in the first surge of this pandemic in regard of health professionals is particularly valuable 27 , 28 …”

Geographic disparities in violent crime during the COVID-19 lockdown in Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2018–2020

“…, 2020 ; Moise, 2020a ) including those on households across the United States of America (USA), and Miami-Dade County, Florida, the study site for our work, is no exception, and one that evinced significant cases, hospitalizations, and deaths (Piquero and Kurland, 2021 ). Of particular concern is the effect of the dual stress incited by “facing a pandemic” and “shelter-in-place orders” on mental health (Du et al, 2020 ), raising concerns about the safety and well-being of people experiencing violence and abuse within relationships (Evans, 2020 ). However, the evidence of “shelter-in-place orders” on crime has been mixed, with some studies reporting decreases in crime (Ashby, 2020 ; Boman and Gallupe, 2020 ), while others report increases in specific types of crime such as homicide (Rosenfeld and Lopez, 2020 ) and domestic violence (Piquero et al, 2021 ), with mixed findings regarding associated predictors (Campedelli et al, 2020a , b ).…”

“…Previous investigated risk factors for crime include substance use, economic stress, financial stress, and food insecurity (Gibbs et al, 2018 ), and many of these factors are likely to worsen in the context of a pandemic (Evans, 2020 ), with increases in exposure to various types of strainful events (Agnew, 1992 ) and changes in routine activities (Cohen and Felson, 1979 ). Furthermore, crime in one area can disproportionately impact on residents of adjacent communities’ well-being (Kling, Liebman, and Katz, 2001 ).…”

Factors Affecting Violence Againts Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…The factors that influence the high rate of violence against women can then be overcome by knowing the preventive interventions that can be pursued. The New Normal era, which currently continues to coexist with the COVID 19 pandemic case with fluctuative numbers, is an urgent matter that needs attention (Evans, 2020;Oguntayo et al, 2020). In addition, the existing policy on sanctions against perpetrators of violence against women also needs to be assessed for its application.…”

“…Several studies have shown that lockdown and work from home policies affect the dynamics in families, especially families with middle and low socioeconomics such as decreased family income, increased stress and are more prone to anger. (Evans, 2020;Fontanesi Daniela;Mazza, Cristina;Di Giandomenico, Serena;Roma, Paolo;Verrocchio, Maria Cristina, 2020;Oguntayo et al, 2020). Fear, anxiety and psychological distress due to prolonged territorial restrictions, closure of schools for children, economic strain and conditions of vulnerability to viruses or uncertainty about life have dramatic effects.…”