Those who have experienced intimate partner violence found it was more difficult to seek and receive help for those problems during the Covid crisis, according to a recent study.
A joint research effort — between the Institute for Health and Welfare as well as Tampere and Turku universities — found that being isolated at home during periods of Covid-related remote working and partial lockdown situations prompted domestic violence perpetrators to express their desires to control and exercise power over their victims.
In addition to physical and mental violence, economic constraints can also be used by abusers, according to the researchers.
The materials used in the study were based on follow-up surveys collected from domestic violence shelters, as well as interviews with groups at shelter and outpatient facilities, during the Covid crisis.
The researchers said that the amount of help needed by victims will not become clear for some time.
“Reaching out for intimate partner violence is usually only sought long after the violence has started. [Consequences of] violence that took place during Covid could become seen as a burden on the healthcare system years from now,” said Marita Husso, a Social Sciences Associate Professor at Tampere University.
The researchers said there were particular concerns regarding how domestic violence victims belonging to vulnerable groups like children and foreigners are able to find help.
“Intervening in violence reduces human suffering and saves a significant amount of money,” Husso said in a statement.
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