BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreak and the followed confinement measures have raised concerns to specialists worldwide regarding the imminent increase in domestic violence cases. The present systematic review aims to identify the international trends in domestic violence during the COVID-19 epidemic and to examine the possible differences among all population groups and different geographic areas worldwide. METHOD: The following databases were accessed: DOAJ, ERIC, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Pubmed, PsycNet, and SCOPUS, up to July 22, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies were considered eligible. Data from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific Area, Africa, and worldwide researches were retrieved. COVID-19 has caused an increase in domestic violence cases, especially during the first week of the COVID-19 lockdown in each country. In children, however, although the specialists' estimations suggested an increase in child maltreatment and abuse cases, the rate of police and social services' reports has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. School closures that isolated students at home seemed to have contributed to this decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Domestic violence has been a considerable issue imposed by the COVID-19 epidemic to a worldwide context. The home confinement led to constant contact between perpetrators and victims, resulting in increased violence and decreased reports. In order to minimize such issues, prevention measures and supporting programs are necessary.
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreak and the followed confinement measures have raised concerns to specialists worldwide regarding the imminent increase in domestic violence cases. The present systematic review aims to identify the international trends in domestic violence during the COVID-19 epidemic and to examine the possible differences among all population groups and different geographic areas worldwide. METHOD: The following databases were accessed: DOAJ, ERIC, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Pubmed, PsycNet, and SCOPUS, up to July 22, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies were considered eligible. Data from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific Area, Africa, and worldwide researches were retrieved. COVID-19 has caused an increase in domestic violence cases, especially during the first week of the COVID-19 lockdown in each country. In children, however, although the specialists' estimations suggested an increase in child maltreatment and abuse cases, the rate of police and social services' reports has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. School closures that isolated students at home seemed to have contributed to this decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Domestic violence has been a considerable issue imposed by the COVID-19 epidemic to a worldwide context. The home confinement led to constant contact between perpetrators and victims, resulting in increased violence and decreased reports. In order to minimize such issues, prevention measures and supporting programs are necessary.
Authors: Jeffrey D Sachs; Salim S Abdool Karim; Lara Aknin; Joseph Allen; Kirsten Brosbøl; Francesca Colombo; Gabriela Cuevas Barron; María Fernanda Espinosa; Vitor Gaspar; Alejandro Gaviria; Andy Haines; Peter J Hotez; Phoebe Koundouri; Felipe Larraín Bascuñán; Jong-Koo Lee; Muhammad Ali Pate; Gabriela Ramos; K Srinath Reddy; Ismail Serageldin; John Thwaites; Vaira Vike-Freiberga; Chen Wang; Miriam Khamadi Were; Lan Xue; Chandrika Bahadur; Maria Elena Bottazzi; Chris Bullen; George Laryea-Adjei; Yanis Ben Amor; Ozge Karadag; Guillaume Lafortune; Emma Torres; Lauren Barredo; Juliana G E Bartels; Neena Joshi; Margaret Hellard; Uyen Kim Huynh; Shweta Khandelwal; Jeffrey V Lazarus; Susan Michie Journal: Lancet Date: 2022-09-14 Impact factor: 202.731
Authors: Lyungai F Mbilinyi; Clayton Neighbors; Denise D Walker; Karen Segar; Thomas O Walton; Roger A Roffman; Joan Zegree; Ward Urion Journal: J Fam Violence Date: 2022-03-04
Authors: Jennifer C D MacGregor; Caitlin Burd; Tara Mantler; Isobel McLean; Jill Veenendaal; Susan Rodger; C Nadine Wathen Journal: J Fam Violence Date: 2022-04-28
Authors: Freya Thiel; Verena C S Büechl; Franciska Rehberg; Amera Mojahed; Judith K Daniels; Julia Schellong; Susan Garthus-Niegel Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-04-13 Impact factor: 5.435