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Wells SA, Fleury-Steiner RE, Miller SL, Camphausen LC, Horney JA. Impacts of the COVID-19 Response on the Domestic Violence Workforce. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2024; 39:1190-1205. [PMID: 37799057 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231203610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Many frontline and essential workers faced increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicide ideation during the pandemic response. These and other factors led to burnout, shifts into non-patient or client-facing roles, or leaving an occupation altogether. Domestic violence advocates experienced increases in many types of stressors as they continued to provide essential services to victims and survivors during the pandemic. However, in most cases they did so without protections offered to essential workers, like priority access to personal protective equipment (PPE) or vaccines. Executive directors of U.S. State and Territorial Domestic Violence Coalitions were identified using the National Network to End Domestic Violence website and contacted via email to schedule key informant interviews. Interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed using Zoom. Themes were identified using both inductive and deductive coding. Twenty-five of 56 (45%) coalition executive directors completed an interview. Three main themes related to workforce were identified, including an accelerated rate of job turnover among both leadership and staff; a lack of essential worker status for domestic violence advocates; and unsustainable levels of stress, fear, and exhaustion. While familiar challenges drove these outcomes for this predominantly female, low-wage workforce, such as a lack of access to childcare, other factors, including the lack of access to PPE, training, and hazard pay for those working in person, highlighted inequities facing the domestic violence workforce. The factors identified as impacting the domestic violence workforce-turnover, low status, and high levels of stress, fear, and exhaustion-made the already challenging provision of advocacy and services more difficult. Domestic violence advocates are essential first responders and must be supported in ways that increase the resilience of empowerment-based services for victims and survivors.
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Michaelsen S, Jordan SP, Zarowsky C, Koski A. Challenges to the Provision of Services for Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Nationwide Web-Based Survey. Violence Against Women 2024:10778012241228286. [PMID: 38295351 DOI: 10.1177/10778012241228286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic increased women's vulnerability to intimate partner and sexual violence (IPV/SV), as well as challenging organizations' ability to respond. This research is based on a 2021 nationwide survey about the impacts of COVID-19 on IPV/SV services across Canada. Nationwide, organizations adopted several measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, including scaling back services, reducing or stopping their volunteers, and reducing the number of in-shelter clients. Organizations detailed several financial challenges including increased costs and cancelation of fundraising events. Organizations also reported many staffing challenges, from increased workloads to staff leaves of absence due to childcare responsibilities, mental health reasons, or contracting COVID-19. Policies ensuring adequate financial support to IPV/SV services in nonemergency times could help minimize disruption to service delivery during crisis situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Michaelsen
- École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sonia Parra Jordan
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christina Zarowsky
- École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alissa Koski
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Equity, Ethics, and Policy, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Miller SL, Fleury-Steiner R, Camphausen LC, Wells SA, Horney JA. Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States by Domestic Violence Coalition Leaders. Violence Against Women 2023:10778012231220369. [PMID: 38087424 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231220369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
This U.S. study explores lessons learned about domestic violence service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic identified by state, territory, and tribal coalition leadership to advance preparedness and guide structural improvements for future disasters. Semi-structured interviews with 25 Coalition leaders identified public health control measures and victim-centered strategies used to mitigate the pandemic's impacts on services and advocacy. Three main themes emerged: workforce innovations, system empowerment, and the simultaneous pandemic of racial injustice. The COVID-19 pandemic inspired Coalitions to respond creatively and highlighted resources needed to support survivors and the domestic violence (DV) workforce going forward, including reassessing the current state of the DV movement.
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Burd C, McLean I, MacGregor JCD, Mantler T, Veenendaal J, Wathen CN. "Our services are not the same": the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care interactions in women's shelters. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:427. [PMID: 37568155 PMCID: PMC10422783 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02541-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines and regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted the health care sector. We explore these impacts in the gender-based violence (GBV) services sector and, more specifically, in the context of women's shelters. METHODS Using an interpretive description and integrated knowledge mobilization approach, we interviewed 8 women's shelter clients, 26 staff, and conducted focus groups with 24 Executive Directors. RESULTS We found that pandemic responses challenged longstanding values that guide work in women's shelters, specifically feminist and anti-oppressive practices. Physical distancing, masking, and closure of communal spaces intended to slow or stop the spread of the novel coronavirus created barriers to the provision of care, made it difficult to maintain or create positive connections with and among women and children, and re-traumatized some women and children. Despite these challenges, staff and leaders were creative in their attempts to provide quality care, though these efforts, including workarounds, were not without their own challenges. CONCLUSIONS This research highlights the need to tailor crisis response to sector-specific realities that support service values and standards of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Burd
- Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, N6A 5B7, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Isobel McLean
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Tara Mantler
- School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jill Veenendaal
- Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, N6A 5B7, London, ON, Canada
| | - C Nadine Wathen
- Mobilizing Knowledge on Gender-Based Violence, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Pless J, Schroeder E, Blackburn J, Choi YJ. "They Knew They Were Still Safe with Us": Experiences of Domestic Violence Shelter Staff on Survivors' Experiences in Shelter in the Early COVID-19 Pandemic. JOURNAL OF FAMILY VIOLENCE 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37358983 PMCID: PMC10089817 DOI: 10.1007/s10896-023-00545-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Background Domestic violence (DV) shelters are an essential service for survivors and their children. While research has demonstrated global increases in DV during COVID-19, little is known about the experiences of DV shelter staff. This study aimed to understand DV shelter staff's experiences and how they navigated the early stages of the pandemic. Methods Researchers disseminated a cross-sectional online survey, first to state DV coalitions and then directly to DV shelters. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used for multiple-choice items, and patterns were identified using thematic analysis for open-ended responses. Results Survey participants included 368 DV staff (180 leadership, 167 direct services, and 21 other roles) from 48 states. They reported little change to their schedules and mixed feelings of shelter preparedness for the pandemic. Participants described shelter methods for preventing the spread of COVID-19, changes in shelter policies and satisfaction with such policies, and the impacts of the pandemic on themselves and survivors. Balancing survivor autonomy with the health and safety of staff and other residents proved to be one of the most consistently challenging tasks. Participants also described how programs adapted to changing regulations and continued to serve survivors throughout this challenging time. Conclusion Several innovative practices were implemented by staff throughout the pandemic, including expansions in technology use and non-residential services. Most reported feeling prepared for a similar crisis in the future. We offer five recommendations for DV shelters and their funders, including increased mental health support for staff and greater transparency in policies for both shelter residents and staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Pless
- School of Social Work, University of Georgia, 279 Williams Street, 30605 Athens, GA Greece
| | - Elyssa Schroeder
- School of Social Work, University of Georgia, 279 Williams Street, 30605 Athens, GA Greece
| | - Julianne Blackburn
- School of Social Work, University of Georgia, 279 Williams Street, 30605 Athens, GA Greece
| | - Y. Joon Choi
- School of Social Work, University of Georgia, 279 Williams Street, 30605 Athens, GA Greece
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