Police referrals for domestic abuse before and during the first COVID-19 lockdown: An analysis of routine data from one specialist service in South Wales

Abstract

Background COVID-19 lockdown measures may have led to more, and increasingly severe, domestic abuse. This study examines police referrals to a specialist domestic abuse service in Wales, UK before and during the first lockdown. Methods Routine data relating to 2292 police referrals for female adult victim-survivors from December 2019 until July 2020 were analysed and presented in the form of descriptive statistics to monitor changes in referral rates and the profile of those referrals. Results There was little increase in the overall volume of police referrals during lockdown, but the proportion assessed as high risk increased, and children became the primary source of third-party referrals, with a higher proportion of reports made by other third parties as restrictions eased. Police reports for cases of Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence (C/APV) occurred almost exclusively during lockdown. Conclusions The increase in risk level despite less clear increase in volume may suggest unmet need, with victims less likely to seek help during lockdown other than for more severe instances. Increased reports by children suggest increased exposure of children to domestic abuse during school closure. Unmet need for women and children may have been made visible to services, and acquaintances, as measures began to ease.

Rate and severity of radiological features of physical abuse in children during the first UK-wide COVID-19 enforced national lockdown

“…14 One exploratory study examining police referrals from domestic abuse before and during the first enforced national lockdown in South Wales, UK, found increased third party of reporting by children. 15 While this may suggest an increased exposure to domestic violence, the absolute number of reports by children were small and may not be applicable to other parts of Wales or the rest of the UK. Moreover, researchers in the UK reported an overall decrease in paediatric trauma and child protection medical examination referrals during lockdown when compared with prelockdown periods.…”

“…One exploratory study examining police referrals from domestic abuse before and during the first enforced national lockdown in South Wales, UK, found increased third party of reporting by children 15. While this may suggest an increased exposure to domestic violence, the absolute number of reports by children were small and may not be applicable to other parts of Wales or the rest of the UK.…”

Economic, physical and social determinants of health during the COVID-19 lockdown: a call for renewed societal responses

“…During the current pandemic, an increase in domestic violence prevalence and/or severity has been emphasised as a public health concern [12]. A recent study reported on evidence related to a change in domestic violence risk classification [13]. For example, an exploratory analysis of police referrals (n=2292) related to domestic abuse of adult women before and during lockdown in South Wales, UK, reported an increased proportion of high-risk cases among domestic abuse referrals [13].…”

“…A recent study reported on evidence related to a change in domestic violence risk classification [13]. For example, an exploratory analysis of police referrals (n=2292) related to domestic abuse of adult women before and during lockdown in South Wales, UK, reported an increased proportion of high-risk cases among domestic abuse referrals [13]. In this study, researchers did not identify a significant increase in the number of police referrals; however, they indicated a notable increase in the prevalence of high-risk cases from ∼33% prior to lockdown (December 2019-February 2020) to an increase of ∼50% classification during lockdown, where this level remained above baseline during the pandemic observation period (March 2020-July 2020) [13].…”

“…For example, an exploratory analysis of police referrals (n=2292) related to domestic abuse of adult women before and during lockdown in South Wales, UK, reported an increased proportion of high-risk cases among domestic abuse referrals [13]. In this study, researchers did not identify a significant increase in the number of police referrals; however, they indicated a notable increase in the prevalence of high-risk cases from ∼33% prior to lockdown (December 2019-February 2020) to an increase of ∼50% classification during lockdown, where this level remained above baseline during the pandemic observation period (March 2020-July 2020) [13]. However, data reporting on the prevalence of domestic abuse are complicated by several factors including, but not limited to, decreased opportunity to utilise support services and helplines, which may serve as proxies for domestic abuse data [13].…”