Changes in Prevalence and Severity of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Abstract

BackgroundTo contain the spread of COVID-19, governmental measures were implemented in many countries. Initial evidence suggests that women and men experience increased anger and aggression during COVID-19 lockdowns. Not surprisingly, media reports and initial empirical evidence highlight an increased risk for domestic violence (DV) during the pandemic. Nonetheless, a systematic review of studies utilizing participants' reports of potential changes in DV prevalence and severity during the pandemic as compared to pre-pandemic times is needed.ObjectiveTo examine empirical, peer-reviewed studies, pertaining to the potential change in prevalence and severity of different types of DV during the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by study participants.Data SourcesElectronic EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL searches were conducted for the period between 2020 and January 5, 2022. References of eligible studies were integrated by using a snowballing technique.Study SelectionA total of 22 primary, empirical, peer-reviewed studies published in English or German were included.ResultsOf the 22 studies, 19 were cross-sectional whereas 3 included both pre-pandemic and during pandemic assessments. Data synthesis indicates that severity of all types of DV as well as the prevalence of psychological/emotional and sexual DV increased for a significant number of victims in the general population during the pandemic. Evidence for changes in prevalence regarding economic/financial, physical, and overall DV remains inconclusive. There was considerable between-study variation in reported prevalence depending on region, sample size, assessment time, and measure.ConclusionsData synthesis partly supports the previously documented increase in DV. Governmental measures should consider the availability of easily accessible, anonymous resources. Awareness and knowledge regarding DV need to be distributed to improve resources and clinical interventions.

Vulnerabilities associated with violence against women before entering the prison system

“…The occupation aspect of the social dimension was also assessed in another national study (16) , in which it was obtained that most women victims of violence investigated had some formal employment or not. However, other studies suggest that being a housewife or spending more time at home considerably increases a woman's chances of suffering some type of violence, due to the high rates of domestic violence (17)(18)(19) . Also, the religion aspect, linked to the social dimension, was more associated with psychological and sexual violence, while the income dimension was related to the occurrence of physical violence.…”

Vulnerabilidades associadas à violência contra a mulher antes do ingresso no sistema prisional

“…O aspecto da ocupação da dimensão social também foi avaliado em outro estudo nacional (16) , em que foi obtido que a maioria das mulheres vítimas de violência investigadas possuíam algum emprego formal ou não. Contudo, outros estudos sugerem que ser dona de casa ou estar mais tempo em casa aumenta consideravelmente as chances da mulher de sofrer algum tipo de violência, em decorrência dos altos índices de violência doméstica (17)(18)(19) . Ainda, o aspecto religião, vinculado à dimensão social, mostrou estar mais associado às violências psicológica e sexual, enquanto que a dimensão renda esteve relacionada à ocorrência de violência física.…”

Are Children Harmed by Being Locked up at Home? The Impact of Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Phenomenon of Domestic Violence

“…This staggering statistic highlights the need for various societies to modify their welfare systems to minimize the risk of violence against youth in the future, especially in the event of another global crisis [ 67 ]. Studies have shown that the level of violence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 68 , 69 ]. In the US, the severity of domestic violence was assessed using geolocators [ 70 ].…”