Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Children to the Elderly

Cristina Soeiro (), Rita Ribeiro, Iris Almeida, Rosa Saavedra, Sónia Caridade, Ana Oliveira and Manuela Santos
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Cristina Soeiro: Multidisciplinary Research Center of Egas Moniz (CiiEM)—Egas Moniz Psychology Laboratory (LabPSI), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
Rita Ribeiro: Multidisciplinary Research Center of Egas Moniz (CiiEM)—Egas Moniz Psychology Laboratory (LabPSI), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
Iris Almeida: Multidisciplinary Research Center of Egas Moniz (CiiEM)—Egas Moniz Psychology Laboratory (LabPSI), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
Rosa Saavedra: Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 1150-201 Lisboa, Portugal
Sónia Caridade: Psychology Research Center, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Ana Oliveira: Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 1150-201 Lisboa, Portugal
Manuela Santos: Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 1150-201 Lisboa, Portugal

Social Sciences, 2023, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: Women of all ages can be exposed to violence both within and outside of the home, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to analyze violence against women (VAW) before and during the first year of the pandemic in Portugal. Crimes perpetrated against female victims from 17 years old and younger to 65 years old and older were analyzed by comparing requests for help in 2019 and 2020. A total of 12,045 requests for help for VAW were received by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support and analyzed in the current study. The findings reveal a 16% increase in requests for help in 2020 and a 95% increase when the lockdown was implemented. That said, the most reported, intimate partner violence (IPV), showed a decrease of 5% in 2020. Furthermore, compared to 2019, requests for help concerning criminal offenses involving psychological violence in non-IPV contexts increased 79% in 2020, especially for victims 17 years old or younger (116%), and attempted femicide/femicide requests for help increased 53%. We are still in the early stages of understanding how the pandemic will affect this situation. Future directions concerning support of female victims during the pandemic are outlined.

Keywords: violence against women; COVID-19 pandemic; children abuse; elderly abuse (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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