The impact of COVID-19 on gender-based intimate partner violence : a scoping review

Context Each year, 1 in 4 women vs 1 in 10 men suffer from intimate partner violence (IPV) worldwide. In addition to this gender inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic amplified the risk of IPV perpetration. For instance, the UN Women organization presented a 30% increase of domestic violence (DV) in France during the establishment of lockdown measures.

Objective The objective was to identify the key triggers leading to the exacerbation of gender-based violence its key solutions in order to enhance future research and motivate stakeholders to take action adequately.

Study Design qualitative scoping review

Setting The review was conducted manually in three databases (Medline, PubMed and PsychInfo). The eligibility criteria were english-speaking articles published from 01/01/2020 to 06/30/2020 that addressed IPV during COVID-19 and considered gender-based violence among all subjects of the article.

Population Studied Women who experienced IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instrument An extraction sheet was customized based on the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley. A coding scheme was developed and adjusted according to the collected data.

Outcome measures Behaviour chains (triggers, thoughts and actions) leading to IPV, related forms of perpetration (physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence), the needs of the victims and proposed solutions were evaluated.

Results 26 out of 168 identified articles met the eligible criteria for this review. Term definitions and the triggering factors of gender-based IPV during COVID-19 were similar in all the articles. Gender-based preexisting power dynamics and international lockdown measures were identified as keystone triggers to IPV in 100% of the articles. 73% of the articles recommended an ''accurate assessment'' as a key solution to reduce the rate of IPV. Increasing government funding, prevention and research were also considered as key solutions in 61.5%, 34.6% and 19% respectively.

Conclusion The adequate funding of IPV prevention and research and an accurate assessment of the victims by the means of telemedicine and health workers' sensitization should be prioritized. This scoping review gives a great insight and retrospective on the leading triggers of IPV during a pandemic context. The difficulty to obtain data without compromising the victims persists in 2024. Its publication definitely be an excellent addition to current and ongoing 2024 research.