Intimate Partner Violence in COVID-19: A Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract

The silent pandemic that rages simultaneously behind the scenes of the COVID-19 is intimate partner violence (IPV). Intimate partner violence occurs when one partner uses abusive behavior to control or harm the other partner in the relationship. Due to public health orders including the stay-at-home initiated in response to the pandemic from March 2020 IPV incidents have increased. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the current literature that evaluates the impact that the COVID-19 public health orders have had on the IPV victims during the pandemic. Research Question:How have IPV victims been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Method: A targeted literature review using PICO format (population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes) examines how IPV victims have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and factors associated with the increased rates of IPV. Results: Comparisons of pre-COVID-19 IPV rates to the rates of IPV during the pandemic reveal outcomes an elevated number of IPV numbers during the pandemic, particularly with the abuse that is more severe. Risk factors for the increased rate of IPV included financial factors, care giver burnout, stress and other factors are discussed. Implications: Health care professionals have a key role to play in helping IPV victims to access resources

Key words: COVID-19, novel corona virus, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, nursing