Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence, 2019-2022

Abstract

Objective:  to analyze the incidence and types of domestic violence against girls, adult women, and older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method:  ecological study. Overall incidence rates and rates by type of violence were calculated, and Poisson regression was performed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of violence against girls, adult women, and older adults. Results:  domestic violence was highly prevalent both before and after the pandemic, with an overall average rate of 235.32 cases per 100,000 population. However, a reduction was observed from 383.5 per 100,000 in the pre-pandemic period to 150.7 per 100,000 post-pandemic period. Life cycle data revealed that, despite the decline, sexual violence was most frequent among girls, and physical violence was most frequent among adult women. Among older women, abuse and financial abuse increased during the first year of the pandemic. Adult and older women had higher risks of violence - 6.35 and 3.7 times greater, respectively, compared to girls. Conclusion:  domestic violence remains a serious public health concern. The reduction in cases during the pandemic likely reflects underreporting due to mobility restrictions.