Key Messages

Consequent to COVID response measures has been increased help-seeking for intimate partner violence (IPV) and indications of increased substance use (SU). Pandemic responses affect IPV and SU due to social isolation, ‘stay-at-home’ orders, distancing, limited service provision, unemployment, financial stress, loss of routine, additional caregiving and lack of outdoor access. Disasters are associated with IPV increases and disaster planning should include responses to IPV, trauma and mental health issues. IPV and SU are bidirectionally related but IPV impacts long term impacts on mental health, SU and trauma in women. Improved responses and interventions that address IPV and SU in the context of disasters must be developed.

Keywords

• Intimate Partner Violence
• Substance Use
• Pandemic
• Disaster
• Isolation
• Health care providers
• First responders
• Trauma

Author(s)

• Nominated Principal Applicant: Lorraine Greaves PhD, Senior Investigator, Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health
• Andreea Catalina Brabete
• Lorraine Greaves
• Lindsay Wolfson
• Julie Stinson
• Sarah Allen
• Nancy Poole

For more information, please contact: Lorraine Greaves PhD, lgreaves@cw.bc.ca

Related Syntheses

• School-Based Suicide Risk Assessment Using eHealth: A Scoping Review
• Niikaniganaw (All My Relations) Ii – the COVID-19 Rapid Response: Indigenous Approaches to Synthesizing Knowledge for Culturally-safe and Stigma Free Mental Health Care for Under-served Indigenous Communities in Ottawa-Gatineau
• Securing Safe Supply During COVID-19 and Beyond: Scoping Review and Knowledge Mobilization

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Population

Vulnerable or At-Risk Populations, People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) and Substance Use

Language

To ensure the rapid dissemination of this critical information, information is published in the language in which it was submitted. Please contact us for French or English translations.