Intimate Partner Violence During Public Health Disasters: Strengthening Theoretical Foundations

• In Event: Gender, Crime and Justice Working Group Panel 8: Contextual variants in domestic abuse (I)

Abstract

One of the immediate consequences of COVID-19 pandemic lock downs was a spike in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) across the globe. Shelter-in-place orders, coupled with widespread unemployment, left many victims trapped with their abusers and unable to safely connect with services. Moreover, pandemic restrictions put in place to reduce the spread of the virus compromised response services, such as shelters and alternative housing, intended to offer safe haven. The effects of this public health disaster have been particularly pronounced for vulnerable populations. In this paper I argue that pandemic-related-IPVcrises should be framed as “public health disasters” in the interest of sharpening our understanding of IPV during times of both order and disorder. As public health disasters are similar in characteristics to other disasters (such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods), I draw on a “sociology of disaster” framework and ecofeminism to understand IPV circumstances of vulnerability and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociology of disaster is an interdisciplinary subfield that strives to interpret social relations during times of both human-made and natural disasters. Ecofeminsim is concerned with the links between ecological disruptions and gendered injustice. Because of existing gender inequalities, women may face greater consequences from public health disasters than do men, but in different ways, according to their unique contexts and circumstances. Drawing on these two perspectives helps strengthen our theoretical foundations of IPV.

Author

• Gwen Hunnicutt, UNC Greensboro