COVID-19, Lockdown, and Intimate Partner Violence: Some Data from an Italian Service and Suggestions for Future Approaches

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV)-defined as physical, psychological, sexual, and/or economic violence typically experienced by women at home and perpetrated by their partners or expartners-is a pervasive form of violence that destroys women's feelings of love, trust, and self-esteem, with important negative consequences on physical and psychological health. Many reports from several countries have underlined a remarkable increase in the cases of IPV during the COVID-19 emergency. In this opinion article, we discussed the hypothesis that such an increase may be related to the restrictive measures enacted to contain the pandemic, including women's forced cohabitation with the abusive partner, as well as the exacerbation of partners' pre-existing psychological disorders during the lockdown. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed some data derived from our practice in a public Italian referral center for sexual and domestic violence (Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence [SVSeD]). These data interestingly revealed an opposite trend, that is, a decrease in the number of women who sought assistance since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Such a reduction should be interpreted as a negative consequence of the pandemic-related restrictive measures. Although necessary, these measures reduced women's possibilities of seeking help from antiviolence centers and/or emergency services. Owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, there is an urgent need for developing and implementing alternative treatment options for IPV victims (such as online and phone counseling and telemedicine), as well as training programs for health care professionals, especially those employed in emergency departments, to facilitate early detection of IPV.

IPV and COVID-19: A systematic review of the literature

“…Following the lead of previous reviews, also in our work we found a sharp spike in DV cases reported around the globe (Agüero 2020; Baig et al 2020;Barbara et al 2020;Boserup et al 2020;Bradley et al 2020;Chandan et al 2020;Gebrewahd et al 2020;Ghoshal et al 2020;Goh et al 2020;Gosangi et al 2020;Jarnecke et al 2020;Jetelina et al 2020;Kaukinen et al 2020;Kofman et al 2020;Kumar 2020;Leslie et al 2020;Mahase et al 2020;Mazza et al 2020;Neil 2020;Nigam 2020;Piquero et al 2020;Qin et al 2020;Roesch et al 2020;Roseboom et al 2020;Sifat 2020;Telles et al 2020;Tochie et al 2020;Vieira et al 2020;Yahya et al 2020;Zargham et al 2020). For example, Aguero (2020) in a study conducted in Peru, one of the several countries which imposed a national lockdown in March, found that the incidence rate of calls to helplines centres increased around 48% between April and July 2020.…”

“…Other risk factors could be hopelessness, access to firearms, lack of housing, lack of role models, substance abuse and mental illness(Duncan et al 2020) Indeed, COVID-19 might have exacerbated pre-existing psychological disorders of violent perpetrators. Several studies have already highlighted the negative psychological impact of the COVID-19 to the point that several psychotherapists made a warning call about the increase in the psychological support request in order to lessen anxiety(Barbara et al 2020). For example,Brooks et al (2020), in a recent review of psychological effects on quarantine has reported how confinement could be associated with feelings of anger, frustration, boredom, and confusion.…”

In the Eye of the Covid-19 Storm: A Web-Based Survey of Psychological Distress Among People Living in Lombardy

“…At the same time, conjoint efforts to cope with a stressor as a couple may lead to enhanced couple satisfaction ( Molgora et al, 2019 ). On the other hand, forced cohabitation and greater levels of stress due to the pandemic may increase the risk of domestic violence and abuse ( Barbara et al, 2020 ; Bradbury-Jones and Isham, 2020 ). This issue is very important and requires further research.…”

Gender-based violence during COVID-19 outbreak in Spain

“…And finally, home confinement requires a forced and prolonged coexistence of aggressors and victims. Although some studies have already been published warning about the possible negative influence of the pandemic situation on GBV, there is a great scarcity of published data addressing this topic (Barbara et al, 2020 ; Sediri et al, 2020 ).…”