A Pandemic within a Pandemic — Intimate Partner Violence during COVID-19

This article published in the New England Journal of Medicine discusses how the stay-at-home orders placed during the COVID-19 pandemic trapped victims with their abusers, which caused advocates to become concerned about a potential increase in intimate partner violence (IPV). The article notes how victims not being able to safely connect to services has led to a decrease in calls to domestic violence hotlines, as opposed to an anticipated increase. The article also discusses barriers to reporting IPV during the pandemic, and steps that can be taken to facilitate more equitable access to services as the pandemic continues.