Halina Lin Haag1, Danielle Toccalino, Maria Jennifer Estrella, Amy Moore, Angela Colantonio. 1. Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (Mss Haag and Moore); KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Ms Haag and Dr Colantonio); Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Ms Toccalino and Dr Colantonio), Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (Ms Estrella and Dr Colantonio), Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy (Dr Colantonio), and Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Dr Colantonio), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects up to 1 in 3 women over their lifetime and has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most injuries are to the head, face, and neck, the intersection of IPV and brain injury (BI) remains largely unrecognized. This article reports on unexplored COVID-19-related impacts on service providers and women survivors of IPV/BI. OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on survivors and service providers. PARTICIPANTS: Purposeful sampling through the team's national Knowledge-to-Practice (K2P) network and snowball sampling were used to recruit 24 participants across 4 categories: survivors, executive directors/managers of organizations serving survivors, direct service providers, and employer/union representatives. DESIGN: This project used a qualitative, participatory approach using semistructured individual or group interviews. Interviews were conducted via videoconferencing, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Transcripts were thematically analyzed by the research team to identify themes. FINDINGS: COVID-19 has increased rates and severity of IPV and barriers to services in terms of both provision and uptake. Three main themes emerged: (1) implications for women survivors of IPV/BI; (2) implications for service delivery and service providers supporting women survivors of IPV/BI; and (3) key priorities. Increased risk, complex challenges to mental health, and the impact on employment were discussed. Adaptability and flexibility of service delivery were identified as significant issues, and increased outreach and adaptation of technology-based services were noted as key priorities. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified IPV/BI, increased challenges for women survivors and service providers, and accentuated the continued lack of IPV/BI awareness. Recommendations for service delivery and uptake are discussed.
BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects up to 1 in 3 women over their lifetime and has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most injuries are to the head, face, and neck, the intersection of IPV and brain injury (BI) remains largely unrecognized. This article reports on unexplored COVID-19-related impacts on service providers and women survivors of IPV/BI. OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on survivors and service providers. PARTICIPANTS: Purposeful sampling through the team's national Knowledge-to-Practice (K2P) network and snowball sampling were used to recruit 24 participants across 4 categories: survivors, executive directors/managers of organizations serving survivors, direct service providers, and employer/union representatives. DESIGN: This project used a qualitative, participatory approach using semistructured individual or group interviews. Interviews were conducted via videoconferencing, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Transcripts were thematically analyzed by the research team to identify themes. FINDINGS: COVID-19 has increased rates and severity of IPV and barriers to services in terms of both provision and uptake. Three main themes emerged: (1) implications for women survivors of IPV/BI; (2) implications for service delivery and service providers supporting women survivors of IPV/BI; and (3) key priorities. Increased risk, complex challenges to mental health, and the impact on employment were discussed. Adaptability and flexibility of service delivery were identified as significant issues, and increased outreach and adaptation of technology-based services were noted as key priorities. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified IPV/BI, increased challenges for women survivors and service providers, and accentuated the continued lack of IPV/BI awareness. Recommendations for service delivery and uptake are discussed.
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: Luissa Vahedi; Ilana Seff; Deidi Olaya Rodriguez; Samantha McNelly; Ana Isabel Interiano Perez; Dorcas Erskine; Catherine Poulton; Lindsay Stark Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-02 Impact factor: 4.614