Intimate Partner Violence in the COVID-19 Era: A Health, Psychological, Forensic and Legal Perspective

Giussy Barbara, Alessia Viero, Irene Pellizzone, Laura Buggio, Federica Facchin, Cristina Cattaneo, Maria Elisa D’Amico, Paolo Vercellini and Alessandra Kustermann
Additional contact information
Giussy Barbara: Gynaecological Unit and SVSeD, Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
Alessia Viero: Legal Medicine and Toxicology Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
Irene Pellizzone: Department of Italian and Supranational Public Law, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
Laura Buggio: Gynaecological Unit and SVSeD, Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
Federica Facchin: Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
Cristina Cattaneo: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Maria Elisa D’Amico: Department of Italian and Supranational Public Law, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
Paolo Vercellini: Gynaecological Unit and SVSeD, Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
Alessandra Kustermann: Gynaecological Unit and SVSeD, Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-9

Abstract: This commentary aims to provide a multidisciplinary framework on intimate partner violence (IPV) during the COVID-19 pandemic (with a specific focus on the most predominant form of gender-based violence, i.e., male violence towards women), commenting on the multiple negative consequences of the pandemic on gender violence and providing elements of effective practice. We searched literature for reports/studies on the issue of IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on health, psychological, forensic, and legal aspects. The combined effects of lockdowns, isolation at home with abusive partners, quarantine, and economic worries/loss of a job could significantly facilitate violence against women and, at the same time, diminish women’s chances to seek for help, with a strong negative impact on their life. The continued offer of clinical, psychological, forensic, and legal services for survivors of violence, despite the modifications to the provision of these services due to the new needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, appears of utmost importance. All actions to support survivors of IPV are expected to be multidisciplinary, including the involvement of social and/or legal services and health systems, and woman-centred. Implementing these measures in the COVID-19 era appears challenging but is of primary importance.

Keywords: intimate partner violence; domestic violence; gender violence; COVID-19; lockdown; family violence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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