Don’t Know where to Go for Help: Safety and Economic Needs among Violence Survivors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date of Review, March, 2021

Wood, L., Baumler, E., Schrag, R.V. et al. “Don’t Know where to Go for Help”: Safety and Economic Needs among Violence Survivors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Fam Viol (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-020-00240-7

This paper presents the findings of a mixed methods study via an online survey to explore perspectives of persons with safety concerns from interpersonal violence regarding health, safety, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on . Participants (N=53) were recruited from IPV and sexual assault-focused agencies, state coalitions, and social media. Over 40% of participants reported safety had decreased. The study was conducted with a very small sample size which limits its generalizability , however it is important in shedding light on how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing structural concerns for survivors of violence like IPV and sexual assault. The authors call for increased support and economic resource access, coupled with modified safety planning and improved virtual approaches, to better help meet IPV survivor needs. —Memoona Hasnain, MD, MHPE, PhD