Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on women's health and safety: A study of immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence.
Bushra Sabri, Maria Hartley, Jyoti Saha and 3 others
PMID 33085577WHAT IT FOUND
Immigrant intimate partner violence survivors and providers described pandemic stressors, home confinement, stalking and lost services as increasing abuse and reducing help-seeking.
They asked for safe phone or text contact, basic needs support and culturally tailored safety planning.
Key findings
01Participants described pandemic stressors and abusive partners being at home as increasing IPV.
02Survivors and providers asked for safe phone or text contact and basic needs support.
03Providers reported hotline call volume could rise or fall, but calls were described as more severe.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only English-speaking immigrant women from some countries and providers in selected US locations, so it may not represent non-English speakers or other regions. Participants were recruited through organizations and referrals, which may miss survivors who are isolated, undocumented, or unable to participate. Findings are self-reported experiences and suggestions, not measured effects of services or safety strategies. The study cannot show that the pandemic caused more IPV or that phone or text contact reduced violence.
Declared interests
The article is tagged as NIH extramural research support, and the authors reported no potential conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat this as proof that the pandemic caused more intimate partner violence or that phone or text safety strategies reduce violence. The paper reports experiences and suggestions from a selected group of English-speaking immigrant survivors and providers, not a tested intervention or population-wide measure.