The impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on physical domestic violence: Evidence from a list randomization experiment. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Porter, Catherine; Favara, Marta; Sánchez, Alan; Scott, Douglas
• Is Part Of: SSM - population health. Volume 14(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Domestic violence -- COVID-19 -- List experiment -- Peru; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100792
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8273

Abstract

Abstract: We quantify the increase in physical domestic violence (family or intimate partner violence) experienced by young people aged 18–26 during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns in Peru. To do this we use an indirect methodology, the double list randomization experiment. The list experiment was embedded in a telephone survey to participants of the Young Lives study, a long-standing cohort survey. We find that 8.3% of the sample experienced an increase in physical violence within their households during the lockdown period. Those who had already reported experiencing domestic violence in the last round of (in-person) data collection in 2016 are more likely to have experienced increased physical violence during the COVID-19 lockdown, with 23.6% reporting an increase during this time. The reported increase in violence does not differ significantly by gender. List experiments, if carefully conducted, may be a relatively cheap and feasible way to elicit information about sensitive issues during a phone survey. Highlights: We use an indirect method to assess increase in violence during COVID-19 lockdowns. We embedded a List Experiment in a phone survey of young people in Peru. 8.3% of the sample experienced an increase in physical violence during the lockdown. 22.5% of those who had already experienced violence said this had increased. We found no significant difference between male and female responses.