New Frontiers Research Project - COVID and IPV

Tori Lewis, School of Social Work, University of Windsor
Amaar El Hajj, School of Social Work, University of Windsor
Mehak Warring, BSW Student at the School of Social Work, University of Windsor
Betty Jo Barrett, Professor at the School of Social Work, University of Windsor
Srinivasan Chokkanathan, Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore
Johannes John-Langba, School of Applied Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Jayashree Mohanty, School of Social Work, University of Windsor

Description

Background: Globally one in three, or over 700 million, women experience violence perpetrated by an intimate partner. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher incidence and severity of IPV has been reported. Government-directed restrictions including stay-at home orders, physical distancing, and other pandemic-related measures forced many IPV organizations to roll back, adapt, or discontinue programs. While some community organizations developed new remote-service programs, others adapted existing models, and IPV organizations continue to provide virtual interventions to IPV survivors post-lockdown. Objectives: The overall objective of this study is to examine the innovative practices employed by community-based organizations that responded to intimate partner violence (IPV) and to assess the effectiveness of these services during the pandemic and pandemic recovery. Methods: Our study employs a mixed-method research design. The first and current phase involves in-depth interviews with frontline service providers and administrators of IPV service organizations across three countries (Canada, India, and South Africa). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis will be utilized. The second phase of this project includes a survey of service-engaged and non-service-engaged survivors in each country. Future Applications/Directions or for a completed study, Results/ Implications: As our study is in progress, suggested future directions include: 1) gathering insight that will inform future contingency plans for IPV service organizations during community-level disasters, such as COVID-19, 2) assessing the effectiveness of IPV existing and adapted interventions during the pandemic, and 3) to understand the resiliencies exhibited by IPV survivors with help-seeking during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

 
Mar 22nd, 11:00 AM Mar 22nd, 5:30 PM

New Frontiers Research Project - COVID and IPV

Background: Globally one in three, or over 700 million, women experience violence perpetrated by an intimate partner. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher incidence and severity of IPV has been reported. Government-directed restrictions including stay-at home orders, physical distancing, and other pandemic-related measures forced many IPV organizations to roll back, adapt, or discontinue programs. While some community organizations developed new remote-service programs, others adapted existing models, and IPV organizations continue to provide virtual interventions to IPV survivors post-lockdown. Objectives: The overall objective of this study is to examine the innovative practices employed by community-based organizations that responded to intimate partner violence (IPV) and to assess the effectiveness of these services during the pandemic and pandemic recovery. Methods: Our study employs a mixed-method research design. The first and current phase involves in-depth interviews with frontline service providers and administrators of IPV service organizations across three countries (Canada, India, and South Africa). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis will be utilized. The second phase of this project includes a survey of service-engaged and non-service-engaged survivors in each country. Future Applications/Directions or for a completed study, Results/ Implications: As our study is in progress, suggested future directions include: 1) gathering insight that will inform future contingency plans for IPV service organizations during community-level disasters, such as COVID-19, 2) assessing the effectiveness of IPV existing and adapted interventions during the pandemic, and 3) to understand the resiliencies exhibited by IPV survivors with help-seeking during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/we-spark-conference/2025/postersessions/44