The impact of stay-at-home orders on safety and stability for women: A topical review of intimate partner violence and intimate femicide in the United States during the initial phase of COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose We intend to identify the links between COVID-19, intimate partner violence (IPV), and intimate femicide (IF) for women in the United States by answering the following questions: (1) what does the existing literature say about the intersection of COVID-19, IPV, and IF and (2) what are the contributing factors leading to rates of violence against women during COVID-19? Method This topical review summarizes studies published on IPV and IF during the initial stages of COVID-19 covering the period of March 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021. This review identified 22 articles addressing rates of IPV and IF during COVID-19, exacerbating risk factors for women, and recommendations for responses and intervention efforts. Results Findings revealed an increase in help-seeking calls during the initial phase of the pandemic and COVID-related circumstances such as extended confinement, unemployment, school closures, social isolation, and financial strains intensifying women’s experiences of violence. Data also revealed an increase in purchasing firearms, which increases the risk of women being killed by an intimate partner (Lyons et al., 2020). The nexus of COVID-19 and IPV disproportionately impact women, specifically, Latina immigrants. Implications for utilizing an intersectional framework to further examine these issues and promote social and political change are provided. Conclusion Since the rates of IPV and femicide have been reported as increasing during COVID-19, understanding the complexities and stressors associated with life in a pandemic is essential for addressing inequalities women face and the health of our communities.

Geographic pattern of the prevalence of intimate partner violence against women in Zanjan (Iran)

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on living with DV, often exacerbating the violence experiences (Lyons and Brewer, 2022). Quarantine and isolation of the victim with her abuser exposes her to a special risk (Sutton and Beech, 2023). Another reason for the difference in prevalence is that we investigated four types of DV against women, while other studies mostly investigated physical or sexual violence or both.…”

A Developmental and Life-Course Approach to Further Understanding of the Nature and Causes of Intimate Partner Violence and Femicide

“…Worldwide, access to support services, such as shelters and helplines, was limited during the lockdowns, leaving women with fewer options to escape abusive environments. With people spending more time at home due to lockdowns, there were consistent reports of an increase in domestic violence cases worldwide (Piquero et al, 2020(Piquero et al, , 2021Sutton & Beech, 2023). The COVID-19 pandemic created a perfect storm for the confluence of factors that heighten the risk for IPV perpetration while impacting women's ability to seek help and leave abusive relationships including increases in layoffs and unemployment, economic and family stress and frustration, and social isolation.…”