Intimate Partner Violence Against Women During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy: A Multicenter Survey Involving Anti-Violence Centers. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romito, Patrizia; Pellegrini, Martina; Saurel-Cubizolles, Marie-Josèphe
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 28:Number 9(2022)
• Page Start: 2186
• Page End: 2203
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: violence against women -- intimate partner violence -- post-separation violence -- assisted violence -- COVID-19 lockdown -- Italy; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/10778012221079374
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

This study explores intimate partner violence (IPV) evolution during the lockdown with a sample of 238 women (44% cohabitating and 56% not cohabitating with the perpetrator), attending five antiviolence centers in Italy (June–September 2020). Questions included 12 items on IPV and, for each item, a question about whether violence increased/stayed the same/decreased during lockdown; an indicator of IPV modifications was constructed. Two distinct patterns, confirmed after adjustment for socio-demographic factors, emerged: IPV increased for 28% of cohabitating and decreased for 56% of non-cohabitating women. Such results suggest the efficacy of physical distancing—strictly controlled by the State—in the prevention of IPV.