The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on help‐seeking behaviours of Indigenous and Black women experiencing intimate partner violence in the United States

Abstract

Aims This article discusses possible barriers to help‐seeking that Indigenous and Black women encountered when seeking help related to experiences of intimate partner violence during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Design This article is focused on understanding the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on populations at highest risk for intimate partner violence in its most severe forms. Data Sources Literature sources range from 2010 to 2022. The article is also informed by the experiences of scholars and advocates working with Indigenous and Black women experiencing intimate partner violence in Wisconsin. In our write‐up, we draw on Indigenous feminism and Black feminist thought. Implications for Nursing Help seeking is contextual. The context in which help seeking occurs or does not occur for Indigenous and Black women, due to the barriers we discuss is vital for nurses to understand in order to provide efficient and meaningful nursing care. Conclusion Our goal is to center the nursing profession in a leadership position in addressing the complex and unique needs of Indigenous and Black women who experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence and also experience the greatest barriers to care and support. Impact We seek to contribute theory‐driven knowledge that informs the work of nurses who are often the first to encounter survivors of intimate partner violence within the clinical setting. Help‐seeking is often hindered by factors such as geographic and jurisdictional, economic, and structural response barriers. This knowledge will enhance nurses' ability to lead and advocate for clinical practice and policies that minimize the barriers women experience following intimate partner violence, especially during pandemics, disasters, and other extraordinary circumstances. Public Contributions This article is based on the collaboration of community advocates, nurse scientists, and public health scholars, who work closely with Indigenous and Black survivors of violence and seek to meet their needs and offer them meaningful support.

When support seekers encounter unsettling responses: A dual-factor approach

“…For instance, a 2020 population-based survey in the U.K. found that many individuals who experienced a potential cancer symptom during the pandemic decided not to contact their healthcare provider because of various reasons, including being worried about wasting the doctor's time, not wanting to put a strain on healthcare services on top of the pandemic, or not wanting to make a fuss (Quinn-Scoggins et al, 2021). A similar pattern was also observed in individuals experiencing mental health symptoms and intimate partner violence (Ruiz et al, 2022;Yonemoto & Kawashima, 2022). Future social work research should take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individual support seeking.…”

Violência contra mulher parda e preta durante a pandemia: revisão de escopo

“…( O instrumento JBI Appraisal Tools permitiu identificar baixos riscos de vieses nos estudos selecionados, sendo cinco (17)(18)(19)21,22) considerados com qualidade elevada e três moderada. (16,20,23) Não foi possível realizar a somatória de participantes dos estudos, tendo em vista a variabilidade de sujeitos ou documentos analisados pelos autores. Quanto ao nível de evidência, de acordo com os critérios da Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, apenas um foi classificado como nível IV (18) e os demais nível VI.…”

“…Quanto ao nível de evidência, de acordo com os critérios da Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, apenas um foi classificado como nível IV (18) e os demais nível VI. (16,17,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23) A maioria das pesquisas foi publicada na América do Norte, (16,18,21,22) porém, em todos os textos os autores afirmam se tratar de um fenômeno global, sendo mais ou menos explícito de acordo com os valores de cada país ou cultura.…”

“…Foi evidenciado que a mulher parda e preta teve vulnerabilidade aumentada à violência por parceiro íntimo durante a pandemia COVID-19 decorrente de múltiplos fatores como: barreiras geográficas, problemas jurisdicionais de territorialização, isolamento domiciliar com o agressor, instabilidade econômica e altas taxas de desemprego, baixa escolaridade, habitação insegura, ausência de espaços para cuidados com os filhos (creches e escolas) durante períodos de trabalho remoto, pouca rede de apoio, consumo de álcool pelo parceiro e dificuldade de acesso aos serviços de saúde devido a priorização dos casos respiratórios durante muitos meses. (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23) Ruiz A, Luebke J, Moore K, Vann AD, González Jr M, Ochoa-Nordstrum B et al (16) The…”

Domestic violence against women has increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A perspective paper about the need for change to current and future practice

“…Ethnic minority women's (Nigerian) socialization from the country of birth, immigration status and acculturation influenced the disclosure and help-seeking practice in the country of immigration (Femi-Ajao, 2018). Additionally, women from minority communities such as women with disabilities (Thiara & Roy, 2022) and women from Black and Indigenous communities (Ruiz et al, 2022) may be at risk of experiencing more complexity around DV and in being able to access appropriate supportive services (Wilson et al, 2021). A recent qualitative meta-synthesis found that BME women faced additional barriers to leaving an abusive relationship because of punitive immigration laws, systemic and structural racism, cultural exclusion and in some cases, police violence (Hulley et al, 2022).…”