Impacts of the coronavirus epidemic on experiences of domestic violence and the use of services (KOVÄ)

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has posed significant challenges for welfare services. Epidemics and natural disasters increase the riskand likelihood of intimate partner violence. It has been proven that insecurity and uncertainty in crises lay foundations for violence. The increased risk for intimate partner violence indicates intensifying demands on social services. KOVÄ project examines what kind of impacts the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures related to it have on the occurrence of domestic violence, insecurity, guidance to service sand restrictions on the availability of the services. Whatare the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the forms, severity and frequency of violence? How are the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the occurrence of domestic violence explained? How does the coronavirus pandemic affect seeking help and getting help?The data used in the study is collected by interviewing customers and workers from the shelters and from community care for those experiencing domestic violence and by surveys gathered from customers of the shelters. In addition, the research utilizes data from Nollalinja telephone helpline and from the shelter services. In the poster we present the KOVÄ research projectand the latest research results which are based on the research data collected by KOVÄ project as well as on the other data listed above.

Full text

Impacts of the coronavirus epidemic on experiences of
domestic violence and the use of services (KOVÄ)
Johanna Hietamäki, Marita Husso, Anniina Kaittila, Helena Ewalds, Mia Hakovirta, Elli Hyväri,
Anu Karhinen-Soppi, Outi Kekkonen, Joonas Peltonen, Jarno Tuominen, Eveliina Äärelä
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the research project is to examine
what kind of impacts the coronavirus pandemic
and the restrictive measures related to it have on
the occurrence of domestic violence, insecurity,
guidance to services and restrictions on the
availability of the services.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on
the forms, severity and frequency of violence?
2. How are the impacts of the coronavirus
pandemic on the occurrence of domestic
violence explained?
3. How does the coronavirus pandemic affect
seeking help and getting help?
DATA
VIOLENCE SERVICE PROFESSIONALS
Survey and interviews regarding actions taken in
relation to coronavirus and restrictive measures in
shelters
•Focus group interviews in 5 shelters and 3 community care
service providers. (N=17)
•Corona Questionnaire filled 2-3 times/ month by 29 shelters,
total 24 times/shelter (23.3.2020-21.12.2020)
NOLLALINJA –HELPLINE
•The data is based on the anonymous service
monitoring form used by the Nollalinja helpline
•Consists total of 7763 forms between March and December
2020 Of which corona was discussed in 170 calls
SHELTER USERS
Survey regarding experiences of violence and seeking
help during corona pandmic
•Survey (N=47) gathered (1.12.2020-31.3.2020)

Key Findings 1/2 - Nollallinja
IMPACTS RELATED TO CORONA
•Changes in everyday life, fear of Covid-19,
stress, challenging economic situations,
increased substance abuse and constant
cohabitation in lockdown have increased
violence.
•Different forms of violence have increased
during lockdown, and Covid-19 has been
used as tool for coercive control.
•Increase in forms of digital and economic
violence has raised concerns among
violence service professionals.
•Lockdown has caused feelings of insecurity
and triggered previous violence related
trauma and mental health issues.
•Feelings of loneliness and isolation are key
issues in situations of experiencing violence
and challenges for the service system.
•Lockdown reduced possibilities for victims
to search for and get help.
thl.fi/kova
NOLLALINJA-HELPLINE
•Nollalinja reached highest record in the number of incoming calls in
2020.
•During national lockdown, the number of incoming calls decreased.
The number of calls went up as soon as restrictions were lifted.
•Corona was mentioned in calls most often in April, but it continued to
be a topic throughout the year.
•Violence committed by spouse or partner had increased in Nollalinja
calls during corona pandemic.

Key findings 2/2
Seeking and getting help during the pandemic - Shelters
DIFFICULTIES IN SEEKING HELP
Fear of getting infected with Covid and coming to
shelter with children have made it more difficult to
seek for help.
The number of families with children in shelters
has decreased during the pandemic.
Reduced face-to-face encounters with
professionals working in different services have
created fewer chances for professionals to identify
and ask about violence.
CHALLENGES IN VIOLENCE WORK IN SHELTERS
Wearing masks and keeping distance to clients
have created challenges for professionals in their
practical work. Limitation of physical touch has
emphasized the need for verbal expression of
emotions.
Restriction and termination of community action
and peer support groups has limited the forms of
collective support of clients.
Limitation of visits of friends and family in the
shelter have made it more difficult to get help with
childcare.
thl.fi/kova
Contact
Johanna Hietamäki
Senior Researcher
Finnish institute for health
and welfare
johanna.hietamaki@thl.fi
Tel. 029 524 7990
Marita Husso
Associate Professor
Tampere University
marita.husso@tuni.fi
Tel. 0503182510
Anniina Kaittila
Senior Researcher
University of Turku
anniina.kaittila@utu.fi
Tel. 050 326 3094
SERVICE COORDINATION AND
SUPPORT AFTER LEAVING SHELTER
Vulnerable groups such as immigrants
with inadequate reading and language
skills, clients with mental health
problems and families with children
have struggled in getting sufficient help
during the pandemic.
After leaving shelter clients may
“drop out” from the service system.
This has become even more evident
problem during the pandemic.
Securing sufficient services and
service coordination for clients with
different needs becomes essential
especially when getting help from
informal social networks is restricted.