Intimate Partner Violence Against Women During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy: A Multicenter Survey Involving Anti-Violence Centers

Abstract

This study explores intimate partner violence (IPV) evolution during the lockdown with a sample of 238 women (44% cohabitating and 56% not cohabitating with the perpetrator), attending five antiviolence centers in Italy (June–September 2020). Questions included 12 items on IPV and, for each item, a question about whether violence increased/stayed the same/decreased during lockdown; an indicator of IPV modifications was constructed. Two distinct patterns, confirmed after adjustment for socio-demographic factors, emerged: IPV increased for 28% of cohabitating and decreased for 56% of non-cohabitating women. Such results suggest the efficacy of physical distancing—strictly controlled by the State—in the prevention of IPV.

Intimate partner violence and its correlates in middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country secondary analysis

“…Several studies have highlighted the extreme toll that psychological violence has on mental distress (30,31), self-esteem, feeling worthless, loss of identity, as well as a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex-PTSD (29,32–34).…”

“…Previous studies suggest that psychological violence is an important risk factor for other types of violence (27,28). Several studies have highlighted the extreme toll that psychological violence has on mental distress (30,31), self-esteem, feeling worthless, loss of identity, as well as a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex-PTSD (29,(32)(33)(34).…”

“The pandemic made us stop and think about who we are and what we want:” Using intersectionality to understand migrant and refugee women’s experiences of gender-based violence during COVID-19

“…It is well documented that health emergencies such as COVID-19 disproportionately impact both migrants and women as separate groups [ 6 – 8 ]. One study showed that women seeking GBV support services in Italy reported high levels of violence prior to the pandemic, and nearly a third of women cohabitating with a partner experienced intensified intimate partner violence during March and April 2020 [ 8 ].…”

“…It is well documented that health emergencies such as COVID-19 disproportionately impact both migrants and women as separate groups [ 6 – 8 ]. One study showed that women seeking GBV support services in Italy reported high levels of violence prior to the pandemic, and nearly a third of women cohabitating with a partner experienced intensified intimate partner violence during March and April 2020 [ 8 ]. Meanwhile, a systematic review found that migrants living in high-income countries were disproportionately represented in reported COVID-19 cases and deaths during 2020 due to factors such as living conditions and healthcare barriers [ 7 ].…”

Intimate partner violence: Narratives of attachment relationships and linguistic analysis of emotional schemas through a quali-quantitative approach.

“…The most prevalent and common expression of this phenomenon is intimate partner violence (IPV), which refers to physically, sexually, and psychologically harmful behaviors in the context of marriage, cohabitation, or any other form of union, as well as emotional and economic abuse and controlling behaviors (Sardinha et al, 2022; World Health Organization, 2013). Research indicates that IPV increases the likelihood of various mental health problems, and that the intensity of the violence correlates with the severity of the victims’ symptoms (Bacchus et al, 2018; Condino et al, 2016; Dillon et al, 2013; Mazza et al, 2021; Romito et al, 2022). The World Health Organization estimates that, beginning at Age 15, one in three women worldwide suffers from physical and/or sexual violence in her lifetime (Mannell et al, 2022; World Health Organization, 2021).…”