Virtual Support and Intimate Partner Violence Services: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Purpose: This article reports on a scoping review that maps the empirical research on virtual intimate partner violence (IPV) interventions. Method: Following the Joanna Briggs Institute’s nine-step scoping review methodology, 25 studies were selected. Results: The majority of the studies (72%) were published in the United States, and included quantitative (56%), mixed methods (24%), and qualitative study designs (20%). The most frequent focus of the virtual interventions to support survivors of IPV included safety (52%), with other interventions focusing mainly on treatment (36%), and education and prevention (12%). Forms of interventions included interactive, internet-based (72%), smartphone apps (16%), live videoconferencing (8%), and an asynchronous chatroom (4%). Barriers and strengths of virtual IPV interventions are identified. Discussion: From this analysis, emerging models in virtual IPV intervention are identified, as well as next steps necessary in virtual IPV practice and research. The article concludes with implications for social work practice and research.

Access to support services for individuals who experience intimate partner violence during stressful life events (SLEs) in high-income countries: Protocol for a scoping review

“…Some scoping reviews are currently investigating the impact of COVID-19, with specific focus on access to and utilization of services for sexual and reproductive health. This includes services for gender-based violence and IPV [ 21 ], while others are looking at virtual supports and IPV services [ 22 ]. There are also reviews underway on women’s mental health and experience of IPV following natural disasters [ 23 ] and the impact of IPV on work and employment [ 24 ].…”

Digital self-help for people experiencing intimate partner violence: a qualitative study on user experiences and needs including people with lived experiences and services providers

“…In an effort to address these barriers, and encouraged by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, research has increasingly focused on digital self-help support interventions for IPV survivors [ 32 – 37 ]. Digital self-help interventions can provide support anonymously, around the clock and offer easy access [ 33 ].…”

“…Based on the outlined positive evidence of higher intensity integrative interventions identified in the face-to-face context [ 21 , 22 , 26 ], we are currently developing a more comprehensive integrative digital self-help intervention for individuals affected by IPV. In this study, we include people with lived experiences into intervention development, which has established as a critical step to gain an authentic and in-depth understanding of the psychosocial context, preferences and needs of the target group regarding digital support [ 35 , 37 , 52 ]. Additionally, we include psychosocial service providers to receive insights into the current support system, and the steps and challenges in the support process [ 22 , 37 , 44 ].…”

“…In this study, we include people with lived experiences into intervention development, which has established as a critical step to gain an authentic and in-depth understanding of the psychosocial context, preferences and needs of the target group regarding digital support [ 35 , 37 , 52 ]. Additionally, we include psychosocial service providers to receive insights into the current support system, and the steps and challenges in the support process [ 22 , 37 , 44 ].…”

“…Design aspects such as the user interface, navigation, language, and visual aids can significantly influence the user experience and may be critical to the intervention acceptability, uptake and retention [ 53 ]. However, such design aspects have received limited attention in qualitative research on digital interventions for IPV survivors so far [ 37 , 54 ].…”