Social Workers Response to Domestic Violence and Abuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has put increased pressure on health and social service providers, including social workers who continued front line practice throughout the pandemic, engaging with some of the most vulnerable in society often experiencing multiple adversities alongside domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Movement restrictions and stay-at-home orders introduced to slow the spread of the virus, paradoxically leave these families at even greater risk from those within the home. Utilising a survey methodology combining both open- and closed-ended questions, this study captured a picture of social work practice in Ireland with families experiencing DVA during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight both the changes and challenges in work practices and procedures that limit social work assessment and quality contact with families, changes to the help-seeking behaviours from victims/survivors, as well as emerging innovative practice responses with enhanced use of technology. Implications for practice include an increased awareness of the risk and prevalence of DVA accelerated by the pandemic. Conclusions assert that social work assessment and intervention with families experiencing DVA must remain adaptive to the changing COVID-19 context and continue to develop innovative practice approaches.

How did UK social distancing restrictions affect the lives of women experiencing intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative exploration of survivor views

“…Domestic violence practitioners have voiced similar concerns regarding remote risk assessment, with some services being directed to use the same assessment tools as pre-COVID times [57], which may not have been suited for use during COVID restrictions. Research involving social workers highlights how some services may not have been equipped with the right training or access to resources that would have enabled identification of safeguarding concerns during the pandemic, leaving some practitioners feeling alone and unsupported [58]. Consequently, more work is needed to address these problems in remote risk assessment in order to prepare for future pandemics and disasters.…”