COVID-19 Pandemic and Intimate Partner Violence: an Analysis of Help-Seeking Messages in the Spanish-Speaking Media

Abstract

The role of the Spanish-speaking media is crucial for how Latinx communities learn about seeking help when experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). This study investigated the IPV help-seeking messages disseminated by the Spanish-speaking media in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. We engaged in an exploratory content analysis of videos from Univision’s main website, the most-watched Spanish-speaking media network in the U.S. We searched for videos related to IPV help-seeking posted from March 19–April 21, 2020—including the weeks after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and the U.S. mandated a shelter-in-place. After assessing inclusion criteria, 29 videos were analyzed. Data were analyzed using basic content analysis to determine frequencies and inductive interpretive content analysis to code for help-seeking messages. We identified eight manifest messages related to seeking help when experiencing IPV in times of a crisis: (1) contact a professional resource; (2) contact law enforcement; (3) contact family, friends, and members of your community; (4) create a safety plan; (5) don’t be afraid, be strong; (6) leave the situation; (7) protect yourself at home; and (8) services are available despite the pandemic. We found that the manifest messages alluded to three latent messages: (1) it is your responsibility to change your circumstances; (2) you are in danger and in need of protection; and (3) you are not alone. IPV and media professionals should ensure a structural understanding of IPV in their help-seeking messages and avoid perpetrating stigmatizing and reductionist messages.

Public Attention and Sentiment toward Intimate Partner Violence Based on Weibo in China: A Text Mining Approach

“…This research shows that Twitter information can serve as a micro-narrative narrating the life experience of IPV victims [ 48 ], especially for hard-to-reach people during a special period [ 52 ]. Alvarez-Hernandez et al [ 49 ] investigated the spread of IPV help messages by Spanish-language media in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzed the data using qualitative methods to support the Latino community seeking help to solve the IPV problems. Karami et al [ 53 ] offered a new approach to identify health-related tweets and topics.…”

Public Health Directives in a Pandemic: Paradoxical Messages for Domestic Abuse Victims in Four Countries

“…The official core message conveyed about DA during COVID-19 was that help was still available, services were still operating, and more importantly that any restrictions on movement did not apply to those seeking support or refuge. These campaigns promoted awareness of DA supports and resources, aiming to facilitate the help-seeking process [ 13 , 14 ]. Running parallel with awareness raising campaigns and mass media messaging, many nations also conveyed messages via political leadership, which has been described as a ‘critical pillar’ [ 11 ] of influence in matters of public health, with potential to influence public attitudes and behaviours.…”

“…A number of studies focus on the importance of awareness campaigns and public messaging processes being accessible to minority groups [ 13 , 23 ]. Accessibility of messaging relating to DA is particularly important, as excluded or minority groups may be at increased risk of experiencing DA [ 24 ], and also face multiple barriers accessing services, whether because of lack of English language proficiency [ 13 , 24 , 25 ], services that are unresponsive to their needs [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], or fear of police [ 13 , 25 ]. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced existing inequalities [ 24 ], and there have been warnings that sexual [ 27 ], gender [ 23 ], racial and ethnic minorities [ 25 , 28 ] have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.…”

“…Similarly, a national transgender survey highlighted disproportionate rates of DA in the Latinx community in the US, with rates particularly high for transgender men, the unemployed and the disabled, with structural and interpersonal challenges experienced by these marginalised groups being identified as compounding factors [ 30 ]. Another US study on DA help-seeking in the Lantinx community during COVID-19 highlighted the need for awareness raising campaigns to address diversity in their messaging through better use of ‘gendered language, images, and stories’ [ 13 ]. The authors also identified the value of conveying messaging in accessible language and signposting resources provided by and for minority communities who might fear contacting the authorities [ 13 ].…”

Analysis of the Impact of Health Communication on Prevention and Control Behaviors and Awareness Among Shanghai Residents in the Background of the COVID-19

“…The new Corona-virus spread rapidly to other Asian countries within three months and subsequently spread worldwide. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic [2]. According to official figures reported by the World Health Organization, in mid-April 2021, the cumulative number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide exceeded 140 million, causing approximately 3 million deaths in all countries worldwide.…”