Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence, Abuse, and Trauma During COVID-19 Lockdown: Gaslighting, Non-consensual Condom Removal, Grooming, Coercive Control, Power Dynamic, and Sexual Entitlement in Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has amplified psychosocial and emotional stressors for the more vulnerable segments of population. This article explored the drastic increase in emotional/psychological forms of abuse in intimate partner violence during COVID-19 lockdown period. Additionally, predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors of gaslighting abuse, including non-consensual condom removal, grooming, love bombing, coercion, and power dynamics in controlling relationship, are discussed. Published articles on PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Elsevier about psychological aspects of abuse in intimate partner violence during COVID-19 have been considered and reviewed. This article facilitates a solution-focused response for mental healthcare practitioners to support sustainable well-being through collective solidarity, empowerment, and resilience for survivors. This article introduced personal-collective growth process through humanistic-centered approaches for individuals to share their experiences, realign meaningfulness, create hope, and develop coping strategies.

Trends of violence against health care workers and facilities: understanding the unheard

“…This triggers physical responses such as metabolic functions, immune system, tense up muscles and increasing heart rate to prepare for urgent action -F4 (Fight -Flight -Freeze -Fawn) response. This establishes an individual's reaction to the situational triggers who choose to respond to violence from multiple options: avoidance, denial, discussion, reporting, counseling and prosecution [55]. Emotional reactions to violence include shock, disbelief, anger, frustration, apprehension, high stress level, burnout, loss of selfesteem and professional competence, feeling of powerlessness, self-blame, avoidance of situations, lack of job motivation and job satisfaction, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, and other mental health concerns [3,4].…”