The impact of COVID‐19 on services for people affected by sexual and gender‐based violence

Abstract

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and particularly intimate partner violence (IPV), has spiked dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the pandemic is impacting and interrupting SGBV and IPV services of all kinds. This paper focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical care and forensic medical documentation for SGBV survivors, including an analysis of the response in the UK and Kenya, and provides recommendations for safe implementation of these services during the pandemic.

Children’s Vulnerability to Sexual Violence during COVID-19 in Kenya: Recommendations for the Future

“…First, child sexual violence victims are now age 12 on average (7), compared to 16 previously (13). This finding is corroborated by evidence from forensic medical examiners at gender-based violence recovery centers in Kenya who have noted that survivors attending hospitals for SGBV violations during COVID-19 are now younger and mostly below the age of 16 (16).…”

Supporting survivors of campus dating and sexual violence during COVID-19: A social work perspective

“…Recent evidence shows that COVID-19 is associated with increased rates of sexual and gender-based violence (Johnson et al, 2020), and presents new and unique risks for student victims of DSV. For instance, students who cannot easily return to a parent's residence, or are locked into an apartment lease, are still living in on-and off-campus housing where they may experience DSV at increased rates (Anderson et al, 2020).…”

Providing women’s health care during COVID‐19: Personal and professional challenges faced by health workers

“…These measures have impacted the ability of health workers to provide survivor‐centered care. As the COVID‐19 pandemic has increased the risks for SGBV, ensuring these services are available to survivors is essential 16 …”