Intimate Partner Violence During COVID-19 Restrictions: A Study of 30 Countries From the I-SHARE Consortium

  • Linda Campbell (Shared first author)
  • K. J. Tan Rayner (Shared first author)
  • Maximiliane Uhlich (Shared first author)
  • Joel M. Francis (Shared first author)
  • Kristen Mark (Shared first author)
  • Naomi Miall
  • Peer Briken
  • Stefano Eleuteri
  • Amanda Gabster
  • Simukai Shamu
  • Leona Plášilová
  • Elizabeth Kemigisha
  • Adesola Olumide
  • Priya Kosana
  • Felipe Hurtado-Murillo
  • Elin C. Larsson
  • Amanda Cleeve
  • Soraya Calvo González
  • Gabriela Perrotta
  • Victoria Fernández Albamonte
  • Lucía Blanco
  • Johanna Schröder
  • Adedamola Adebayo
  • Jacqueline Hendriks
  • Hanna Saltis
  • Michael Marks
  • Dan Wu
  • Chelsea Morroni
  • Tammary Esho
  • Takhona Grace Hlatshwako
  • Rebecca Ryan
  • Nik Daliana Nik Farid
  • Raquel Gomez Bravo
  • Sarah Van de Velde
  • Joseph D Tucker
  • I-SHARE Research Consortium

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) causes substantial physical and psychological trauma. Restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and movement restrictions, may exacerbate IPV risk and reduce access to IPV support services. This cross-sectional study examines IPV during COVID-19 restrictions in 30 countries from the International Sexual HeAlth and REproductive Health (I-SHARE) study conducted from July 20th, 2020, to February, 15th, 2021. IPV was a primary outcome measure adapted from a World Health Organization multicountry survey. Mixed-effects modeling was used to determine IPV correlates among participants stratified by cohabitation status. The sample included 23,067 participants from 30 countries. A total of 1,070/15,336 (7.0%) participants stated that they experienced IPV during COVID-19 restrictions. A total of 1,486/15,336 (9.2%) participants stated that they had experienced either physical or sexual partner violence before the restrictions, which then decreased to 1,070 (7.0%) after the restrictions. In general, identifying as a sexual minority and experiencing greater economic vulnerability were associated with higher odds of experiencing IPV during COVID-19 restrictions, which were accentuated among participants who were living with their partners. Greater stringency of COVID-19 restrictions and living in urban or semi-urban areas were associated with lower odds of experiencing IPV in some settings. The I-SHARE data suggest a substantial burden of IPV during COVID-19 restrictions. However, the restrictions were correlated with reduced IPV in some settings. There is a need for investing in specific support systems for survivors of IPV during the implementation of restrictions designed to contain infectious disease outbreaks.

Bibliographical data

Original languageEnglish
ISSN0886-2605
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06.2023