Safeguarding Victims of Domestic Abuse During COVID-19: Survivor Perspectives

Abstract

This study presents qualitative interviews with 15 victim-survivors of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and quantitative analysis of police data in England. It explores survivors’ experiences accessing services during lockdown, identifying themes such as COVID-19-specific challenges, mental health, no recourse to public funds, child impact, cultural bereavement, service responses, and survivor-led recommendations. Key policy implications include improving police ethnicity recording, examining how ethnicity influences risk assessments and outcomes for minoritized victims, and providing culturally appropriate, trauma-informed services. The study calls for state-level preparedness for DVA responses during crises and addressing the structural harm caused by no recourse to public funds policies.