Pandemics and Violence Against Women and Children

Based on existing published and grey literature, the authors* document nine main (direct and indirect) pathways linking pandemics and Violence against Women and Children (VAW/C)

These pathways are:

1. Economic insecurity and poverty-related stress
2. Quarantines and social isolation
3. Disaster and conflict-related unrest and instability
4. Exposure to exploitative relationships due to changing demographics
5. Reduced health service availability and access to first responders
6. Inability of women to temporarily escape abusive partners
7. Virus-specific sources of violence
8. Exposure to violence and coercion in response efforts
9. Violence perpetrated against health care workers.

They also suggest additional pathways with limited or anecdotal evidence likely to effect smaller subgroups.

Authors: Amber Peterman, Alina Potts, Megan O’Donnell, Kelly Thompson, Niyati Shah, Sabine Oertelt-Prigione, and Nicoele van Gelder

Last modified: April 27, 2020

Language: English