Overview
This review frames intimate partner violence (IPV) as a “hidden pandemic” that intensified during COVID-19 restrictions and continued beyond lockdown periods. Using a systematic review and meta-analyses design, the authors synthesised evidence from 54 studies (screened from 445 records) across major databases to map the drivers, impacts, and actionable recommendations for prevention and response.
What the study found
- IPV increased during COVID-19 and persisted into 2023, indicating the problem did not end when restrictions were lifted.
- Lockdowns were linked to risk-amplifying conditions such as job losses, economic vulnerability, loneliness, and uncertainty, which coincided with rising IPV indicators.
- Multiple settings reported an increase in emergency hotline / women’s helpline calls, reflecting heightened help-seeking and acute safety needs.
- The meta-analytic result reported a higher post-COVID IPV risk compared to pre-COVID (0.33 vs 0.28).
- IPV was associated with severe and lasting health, psychological, and reproductive consequences for survivors.
Why this matters
The findings reinforce that IPV is not a temporary crisis tied only to lockdowns; it is a structural public health issue that can escalate quickly under economic stress and social isolation. Effective prevention and survivor protection require preparedness that remains active during “normal” times, not only during emergencies.
Recommended direction
The paper emphasises that reducing IPV and its long-term harms requires broad cooperation among governments, communities, health professionals, and media, supported by comprehensive protective strategies and accessible support systems.
Publication details
Title: Is anybody out there? Tackling intimate partner violence as a hidden pandemic during COVID times and beyond: factors, impact, and recommendations, a systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Petra Heidler, Lisa Dam, Isabel King, Nouran Hamza, Marwa Muhammed Abdeljawad, Dina Alaraby, Mochammad Fahlevi, Temoor Anjum, Roy Rillera Marzo, Michael Wagner, Sudip Bhattacharya & Priyanka Chahal
Journal: Archives of Women’s Mental Health, Volume 29, article number 20
Access: Open Access
