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Domestic violence against women has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic: A perspective paper about the need for change to current and future practice |
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| Authors: | Kim Usher Debra Jackson Syadani Riyad Fatema Rikki Jones |
| Affiliation: | 1. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia;2. Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;3. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia Department of Sociology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh |
| Abstract: | The COVID-19 outbreak led to widespread disruption and stress to people's lives. Concern about the escalation of domestic violence (DV) rates and related mental health issues soon emerged following the implementation of strategies aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. This perspective paper presents an overview of the issues, argues for greater recognition of the link between DV against women and serious emotional distress, and the need for greater awareness and knowledge about DV among mental health professionals. While we acknowledge that men also experience DV, their rates are much lower than for women and in this paper our focus is on women. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19 domestic violence pandemic women |