Brief report
In conclusion, while the majority of IPV participants reported victimisation to remain the same, sexual and physical violence was exacerbated during the early stages of the pandemic. Addressing changes in victimisation must be multisectorial and multilevel. 7 First, much more research needs to be collected from victims themselves to better understand the shadow pandemic and how to innovatively, and effectively, expand programmes. While this study is a first step, we need nationally representa- tive, quantitative data to better refine public health campaigns, like the #SafeHome campaign launched by the WHO in May 2020. Qualitative data can also be leveraged to improve access to services by understanding victims’ barriers and facilitators while in isolation. Concurrently, government and policy-makers must include victim services as essential services while continuing to fund programmes. Health facilities should systematically screen for IPV, improving detection, treatment and referral pathways for victims. Health providers must be trained in trauma informed care (in-person and through telemedicine), 19 as this could be the first line of support for victims during the pandemic. Finally, community members must also be made aware of IPV, as neigh- bours and close friends may be the only line of communication for victims during isolation.
This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained. ORCID iD Katelyn K Jetelina http://orcid.org/0 000-0002-3 317-3296 REFERENCES 1 Czeisler Mark É, Lane RI, Petrosky E, et al . Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, June 24-30, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1049–57. 2 Patrick SW, Henkhaus LE, Zickafoose JS, et al . Well-Being of parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey. Pediatrics 2020:e2020016824. 3 Taylor CA, Guterman NB, Lee SJ, et al . Intimate partner violence, maternal stress, nativity, and risk for maternal maltreatment of young children. Am J Public Health 2009;99:175–83. 4 Lucero JL, Lim S, Santiago AM. Changes in economic hardship and intimate partner violence: a family stress framework. J Fam Econ Issues 2016;37:395–406. 5 Schwab-Reese LM, Peek-Asa C, Parker E. Associations of financial stressors and physical intimate partner violence perpetration. Inj Epidemiol 2016;3:6. 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Intimate partner violence surveillance: uniform definitions and recommended data elements . Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention, 2015. 7 World Health Organization. COVID-19 and violence against women: what the health sector/system can do . Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2020. 8 House of Commons. Home office preparedness for COVID-19: domestic abuse and risks of harm within the home . Palace of Westminster, London: Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons:, 2020. 9 International Rescue Committee. Everything on her shoulders: rapid assessment on gender and violence against women and girls in the Ebola outbreak in Beni, DRC 2019. 10 Piquero AR, Riddell JR, Bishopp SA, et al . Staying home, staying safe? A short-term analysis of COVID-19 on Dallas domestic violence. American Journal of Criminal Justice 2020;45:601–35. 11 International Rescue Committee. New data shows a decrease in women being able to report incidents of domestic violence in fragile and Conflict-Affected countries, 2020. Available: https://www.rescue.o rg/press-release/new-d ata-shows-d ecrease-women- being-a ble-report-incidents-domestic-violence-fragile#_ftn1 [Accessed 18 Aug 2020]. 12 Iverson KM, King MW, Gerber MR, et al . Accuracy of an intimate partner violence screening tool for female vha patients: a replication and extension. J Trauma Stress 2015;28:79–82. 13 Smith SG, Zhang X, Basile KC, et al . National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief . Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018. 14 Kim C, Schmuhl M. Assessment of research on intimate partner violence (IPV) among sexual minorities in the United States. Trauma Violence Abuse 2019:73. 15 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NISVS. An Overview of 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation . Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention, 2010. 16 Thompson RS, Bonomi AE, Anderson M, et al . Intimate partner violence: prevalence, types, and chronicity in adult women. Am J Prev Med 2006;30:447–57. 17 Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, et al . The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report . Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. 18 Newman JC, Des Jarlais DC, Turner CF, et al . The differential effects of face-to-face and computer interview modes. Am J Public Health 2002;92:294–7. 19 Raja S, Hasnain M, Hoersch M, et al . Trauma informed care in medicine: current knowledge and future research directions. Fam Community Health 2015;38:216–26.
What is already known on this subject
► ► Job loss, financial struggles, food insecurity, poor mental health and lack of social support increase the odds of violence in the home, like intimate partner violence.
What this study adds
► ► No scientific study has yet to evaluate whether self-reported victimisation, and specifically the severity of violence, has changed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contributors KKJ conceptualised the project, conducted analyses and wrote the first draft. RJM conducted the literature search and assisted in writing. GK conceptualised the parent study and provided editorial assistance. Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. Competing interests None declared. Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research. Patient consent for publication Not required. Ethics approval Data collection for this study was approved by the Center for the Protection of Human Subjects at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (HSC-SPH-20-0346). Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Jetelina KK, et al . Inj Prev 2021; 27 :93–97. doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2020-043831
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