Domestic Abuse: Harnessing Learning Internationally under Covid-19

There is considerable evidence that, both in the UK and globally, the risks of living with domestic violence and abuse (DVA) have increased consequent to Covid-19 restrictions. A range of responses at policy and practice levels have emerged. These differ across states and their take-up and impact are unknown. Capturing diverse responses and early evidence of impact can influence approaches to further lockdowns and contribute to planning for lifting restrictions and recovery.

This study harnesses the global nature of policy and practice responses to DVA under Covid-19 by examining policy and practice responses in the UK; Australia; Ireland and South Africa. These have been selected as upper or upper/middle income countries with established DVA services. The Connect Centre for International Research on Interpersonal Violence and Harm will utilise its established partnerships to convene online stakeholder meetings with policy shapers and service providers in all four countries. These will generate key questions and contacts to inform a mapping and rapid review study that will collect innovative policy and practice examples together with documentary and other evidence across all four countries. Critical appraisal by an international panel of a selected sample of initiatives will enable in-depth study.

The research will consider whether responses address all family members: victims, perpetrators and children. This focus will acknowledge that experience of DVA is gendered and differentiated within the family and evokes responses from different policy and practice spheres.

Consultation and reporting will be iterative and embedded to achieve early and targeted knowledge transfer.