Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence during Lockdown and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that there is an increase in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during times of crisis (e.g., financial, environmental, or socio-political situations). The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented global health and financial tragedy, but research is yet to establish exactly how the situation may impact on IPV. The present study investigates victims’ experience of IPV during lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. We report a qualitative thematic analysis of 50 discussion forum posts written by victims of IPV. Of these, 48 forum posts were written by female victims of male perpetrated violence. All forum posts were obtained from the popular online platform, Reddit. We identified four themes associated with IPV victims’ experiences during lockdown and the global pandemic: (i) Use of COVID-19 by the Abuser, (ii) Service Disruption, (iii) Preparation to Leave, and (iv) Factors Increasing Abuse or Distress. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on those living with IPV, often increasing the severity of IPV experienced. The experiences of those affected by IPV during this period inform interventions and the guidance and support provided to IPV victims during times of crisis.

“What I thought was so important isn’t really that important”: international perspectives on making meaning during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Yet these were intense stressors for families (particularly mothers) with school-aged children, for which the home had been transformed into a workspace and school. Some of the current research has illustrated how the stay-at-home measures have increased the toxicity of close relationships, including instances of domestic violence (Lyons & Brewer, 2021 ), though such examples were not shared in the stories of our sample.…”

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Intimate Partner Violence against Women in the Czech Republic: Incidence and Associated Factors

“…Lyons and Brewer [ 37 ] point to several mechanisms that may directly or indirectly increase the risk of IPV during global pandemics, such as financial difficulties of households, social isolation, and limited availability of services for IPV victims. While social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the CR may have had an impact on the population and their daily lives [ 38 ], unemployment (associated with financial situation of households) has increased only slightly [ 39 ].…”

“…Maintaining household income during the COVID-19 pandemic could thus indirectly act as a preventive factor for the occurrence of IPV. Another mechanism mentioned by Lyons and Brewer [ 37 ], the limited availability of services for IPV victims, was only a partial problem in the CR, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, when most institutions and organizations were paralyzed by the pandemic situation. However, in the first months after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, these services began to work again using alternative means of communication such as online chats, video calls or telephone crisis lines, often with extended opening hours.…”

Ideação suicida em mulheres e violência por parceiro íntimo

“…Merece destaque o atual contexto de pandemia de COVID-19, no qual a ocorrência de VPI tem suscitado mais discussões [31][32][33] . Neste período, a possibilidade de aumento dos episódios dessa violência se dá, em virtude de aspectos como, aumento do estresse devido a diminuição da mobilidade; ampliação das interações familiares e atividades domésticas, que repercutem em aumento das demandas de cuidado e responsabilização; desemprego; trabalho remoto; e isolamento social 34 .…”