Domestic Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal

Abstract

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.

Perspective Chapter: The Psychosocial Effects of Isolation and Social Distancing during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic – An Overview and Mitigation Strategies

“…In Australia, a 5% increase in domestic violence has been recorded [94][95][96]. In a study in Portugal that consisted of 1062 participants, 13.7% reported experiencing some form of domestic violence [97]. In France, reports increased by 30%, while a 25% increase was seen in Argentina and a 30% increase was noted in Cyprus.…”

The Domestic Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

“…The survey results in Portugal showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as 62.3% of domestic violence victims were reluctant to access assistance [30]. Victims of violence are reluctant to report because they think it is unnecessary, even if they are afraid to be blamed (victim-blaming) [30], [31].…”

The Implication of the First Wave of COVID-19 on Mental Health: Results from a Portuguese Sample

“…The emotional fallout of social distancing is intense and diverse. Risk factors associated with potential suicidal behaviors (e.g., trauma, abuse, social isolation, job and financial losses and mental health disorders, among others) in association with barriers to accessing basic services, including health, have been exacerbated during this pandemic [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…In the face of the lack of evidence on the mental health impact of this “new” disease, the NOVA National School of Public Health, in collaboration with Ghent University, launched a research project about violence and the impact of COVID-19 [ 16 ], which was developed with other Portuguese university partners. The project was focused on intimate partner violence and aimed to better understand the impact of the lockdown measures on the Portuguese population, shedding light on the self-reported occurrence of domestic violence and associated sociodemographic factors as well as on mental health problems related to pandemic times.…”