Intimate Partner Violence and COVID-19 in Rural, Remote, and Northern Canada: Relationship, Vulnerability and Risk

Pertice Moffitt; Wendy Aujla; Crystal J Giesbrecht; Isabel Grant; Anna-Lee Straatman

doi:10.1007/s10896-020-00212-x

Intimate Partner Violence and COVID-19 in Rural, Remote, and Northern Canada: Relationship, Vulnerability and Risk

J Fam Violence. 2022;37(5):775-786. doi: 10.1007/s10896-020-00212-x. Epub 2020 Nov 19.

Authors

Pertice Moffitt¹, Wendy Aujla², Crystal J Giesbrecht³, Isabel Grant⁴, Anna-Lee Straatman⁵

Affiliations

¹ Health Research Programs, Aurora Research Institute/Aurora College, Yellowknife, NT Canada.
² University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada.
³ Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), Regina, SK Canada.
⁴ University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
⁵ University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Canada.

Abstract

In rural, remote, and northern parts of Canada, the pre-existing vulnerability and risk for intimate partner violence has been exacerbated by COVID-19. The purpose of this commentary is to identify the unique impact of COVID-19 on intimate partner violence both in terms of the bearing on those experiencing abuse and on the service sector in rural, remote and northern communities where the rates of intimate partner violence and intimate partner femicide pre-pandemic are higher than in larger cities. The recommendations offered in this paper include enhanced safety planning, alternate housing for victims fleeing violence, and suggestions for service providers. We also offer ways to move forward with further research in the COVID-19 era.

Keywords: And northern; COVID-19 pandemic; Canada; Coronavirus; Domestic violence; Intimate partner violence; Remote; Rural.

Publication types

Review