Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence, 2019-2022.
Teresa Mutemba Vilanculo, Leonora Rezende Pacheco, Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano and 2 others
PMID 41849553WHAT IT FOUND
Reported domestic violence in Maputo fell 42% during the pandemic, but authors warn this likely reflects underreporting, not safer homes.
Adult women had the highest rates; girls showed sexual violence and older women abuse.
Key findings
01Reported domestic violence rates in Maputo were 42% lower during the pandemic period than in 2019, but the authors interpret this as likely underreporting rather than a true protective effect.
02Adult women had the highest average total rate (403.75 per 100,000), while girls' highest average rate was sexual violence (44.60 per 100,000) and older women's was mistreatment/abuse (98.65 per 100,000).
03Among older women, mistreatment/abuse reports were 50 cases in 2020 and 46 cases in 2022, while physical and psychological violence reports were zero in 2022.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study counted reported cases, not actual violence, and the authors say the drop during the pandemic may be underreporting rather than a real decrease. Record quality varied across the four years, and the data were aggregated by district, so local patterns and clean age-group comparisons were not possible. No individual demographic profiles of victims or perpetrators were available, limiting understanding of who was involved. Girls were grouped as 0-17, so the study could not identify which ages were most affected by sexual violence or abuse. Reports were made in person, so pandemic restrictions may have reduced access to reporting.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the 42% reduction in reported domestic violence as evidence that the pandemic made homes safer. The authors state the decline may reflect underreporting because victims faced barriers to reporting and reduced access to support services.