#DomesticViolence During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: An Analysis of Public Commentary via Twitter

Abstract

The current study sought to characterize commentary regarding intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic via the Twitter hashtags #DomesticAbuse and #DomesticViolence. A sample of 481 original, English-language tweets containing the hashtag #DomesticAbuse or #DomesticViolence posted across five consecutive weekdays from March 22 to March 27, 2020—during which many places were enacting lockdown mandates—was examined using thematic content analyses. Overall, Twitter users commented on potential increased rates of IPV, while adding details about abuse tactics that could be employed by perpetrators during the pandemic. Additionally, Twitter users disclosed personal experiences of IPV victimization. Four themes were identified, including (1) type of domestic violence (i.e. whether the violence was COVID-specific or general domestic violence), (2) commentary about IPV (i.e. general reflections, decentralizing and centralizing survivorhood), (3) perpetrator tactic (i.e. abuse tactic used by the perpetrator), and (4) institutions responsible (i.e. institutions responsible for providing services to survivors). Overall, the commentary on Twitter reflected an effort to raise awareness and share informational aid for potential victims/survivors of IPV. Data highlight the potential of social media networks in conveniently facilitating the sharing and spreading of useful resources to other users. Future research should examine whether resources shared via Twitter reach individuals who need them and empower individuals to garner support.

Examining the Supports and Advice That Women With Intimate Partner Violence Experience Received in Online Health Communities: Text Mining Approach

“…Female survivors who either experienced physical abuse or had unwanted sex with their partner have 2.28 higher odds of receiving less emotional support, indicating a great demand of emotional needs in this vulnerable population. Lyons and Brewer [ 18 ] also reported the themes related to the IPV survivors’ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 17 ]. Specifically, one of their themes highlighted service disruption such as IPV shelters, counseling service, and emergency room in hospital, which could potentially undermine the help-seeking initiatives from women.…”

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, IPV cases surged to alarming levels as a result of the quarantine orders and strict social distancing policy [ 16 ]. López et al [ 17 ] reported the increased use of social networking sites, such as Twitter. Lyons and Brewer [ 18 ] specifically examined the contents of a particular OHC on Reddit and reported IPV survivors’ experience during the lockdown, including service disruption and preparation to leave their abusers.…”

Using Twitter-Based Data for Sexual Violence Research: Scoping Review

“…Twitter, launched in 2006, has become one of the most widely used social media platforms and an important source of public health information [5][6][7][8] and the COVID-19 pandemic [9,10]. Over the past decade, researchers have conducted numerous studies using Twitter to gain insights into sexual violence.…”

Textual Analysis of Tweets Associated with Domestic Violence

“…Yet, despite the increased in DV cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been a paucity of studies on the application of Twitter in this area of public health concern. Twitter was a useful platform to raise the DV awareness ( 17 ). On the other hand, Xue et al ( 18 ) found that some of the commonly associated topics and words associated with DV were “awareness month” “victim domestic”, “stop domestic” as well as some high profile contemporary anecdotal cases at that time of the data collection including the “Greg Hardy domestic violence” case.…”