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Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Children to the Elderly

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Soeiro

    (Multidisciplinary Research Center of Egas Moniz (CiiEM)—Egas Moniz Psychology Laboratory (LabPSI), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
    Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 1150-201 Lisboa, Portugal
    Department of ISCSP-UL, Institute of Judiciary Police and Criminal Sciences, 2670-542 Loures, Portugal)

  • Rita Ribeiro

    (Multidisciplinary Research Center of Egas Moniz (CiiEM)—Egas Moniz Psychology Laboratory (LabPSI), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
    Department of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of University of Coimbra, CINEICC—Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioural Intervention, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Iris Almeida

    (Multidisciplinary Research Center of Egas Moniz (CiiEM)—Egas Moniz Psychology Laboratory (LabPSI), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
    Egas Moniz Forensic and Psychological Sciences Laboratory (LCFPEM), 2829-511 Almada, Portugal)

  • Rosa Saavedra

    (Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 1150-201 Lisboa, Portugal
    Department of Faculty of Law of Oporto (FDUP-UP), Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Crime, Justice and Security (CJS), 4050-123 Porto, Portugal)

  • Sónia Caridade

    (Psychology Research Center, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Ana Oliveira

    (Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 1150-201 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Manuela Santos

    (Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 1150-201 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Women of all ages can be exposed to violence both within and outside of the home, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to analyze violence against women (VAW) before and during the first year of the pandemic in Portugal. Crimes perpetrated against female victims from 17 years old and younger to 65 years old and older were analyzed by comparing requests for help in 2019 and 2020. A total of 12,045 requests for help for VAW were received by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support and analyzed in the current study. The findings reveal a 16% increase in requests for help in 2020 and a 95% increase when the lockdown was implemented. That said, the most reported, intimate partner violence (IPV), showed a decrease of 5% in 2020. Furthermore, compared to 2019, requests for help concerning criminal offenses involving psychological violence in non-IPV contexts increased 79% in 2020, especially for victims 17 years old or younger (116%), and attempted femicide/femicide requests for help increased 53%. We are still in the early stages of understanding how the pandemic will affect this situation. Future directions concerning support of female victims during the pandemic are outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Soeiro & Rita Ribeiro & Iris Almeida & Rosa Saavedra & Sónia Caridade & Ana Oliveira & Manuela Santos, 2023. "Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Children to the Elderly," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:91-:d:1064449
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caroline Bradbury‐Jones & Louise Isham, 2020. "The pandemic paradox: The consequences of COVID‐19 on domestic violence," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(13-14), pages 2047-2049, July.
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