Understanding Domestic Violence During the Pandemic: Key Insights for Practitioners

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges across various sectors, including domestic violence (DV) support services. As a practitioner in this field, understanding these challenges and the insights gained from them is crucial for improving your practice and supporting survivors more effectively.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Domestic Violence Trends

A recent study titled “Are you safe to talk?”: Perspectives of Service Providers on Experiences of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic provides valuable insights into how the pandemic affected DV trends. The study involved interviews with 32 DV service providers across 24 U.S. cities, revealing both decreases and increases in contact volumes during different phases of the pandemic.

Initial Decrease in Contacts

At the onset of shelter-in-place orders, many service providers reported a significant decrease in contact volume. This was not due to a reduction in domestic violence incidents but rather due to new barriers such as:

• Safety Concerns: Survivors found it challenging to reach out safely while confined with their abusers.
• Competing Priorities: Many survivors prioritized immediate survival needs over seeking help for DV.
• Lack of Clarity on Resources: Miscommunication about available resources led to confusion among survivors.

Subsequent Increase in Contacts

As restrictions lifted, contact volumes increased, often surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Factors contributing to this increase included:

• Return to Normality: Survivors regained some freedom to reach out as they resumed pre-pandemic activities.
• Increased Resource Needs: Economic hardships led survivors to seek assistance for basic needs like housing and food.
• Heightened Stress and Lethality: Close confinement and financial stress exacerbated violence severity.

Navigating New Challenges

The study also highlighted unique challenges faced by survivors during the pandemic:

• The Virus as a Control Tool: Abusers used COVID-19 as an additional means of control.
• Lack of Social Support: Isolation from community spaces intensified survivors' struggles.

Implications for Practitioners

The insights from this study can guide practitioners in enhancing their support strategies. Here are some recommendations:

• Read the full research paper
• Create Discreet Communication Channels: Implement chat or text services to allow safe communication for survivors.
• Cultivate Partnerships: Work with essential organizations like pharmacies and grocery stores to disseminate information about available resources.
• Adequate Resource Allocation: Advocate for sustained support from local and state governments to ensure DV services are well-equipped during crises.

The findings emphasize that understanding survivors' experiences during crises is vital for shaping effective public health interventions. By applying these insights, practitioners can better support survivors and prepare for future challenges.

If you're interested in exploring this topic further, I encourage you to read the original research paper: “Are you safe to talk?”: Perspectives of Service Providers on Experiences of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic.