When Home Is Not a Safe Place: Confronting
Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Era
Nader Aghakhani1, Mohammad Delirrad2, Elham Jafari1
1 Food and Beverages Safety Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2 Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Food and Beverages Safety Research Center, Taleghani Hospital, Imam
Khomeini Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
GMJ.2023;12:e2814
www.gmj.ir
Correspondence to:
Elham Jafari, Food & Drug vice chancellor, Shahid Dr.
Gholipour Street, Initiation of Salmas Highway, Urmia,
Iran
Telephone Number: +98 9143868894
Email Address: elham.jafari6666@gmail.com
Received 2022-11-15
Revised 2023-03-02
Accepted 2023-03-04
Dear Editor,
Domestic violence refers to a variety of
physical, economic, psychological, or
potentially sexual intimate partner abuse with-
in a familiar environment. It can be known as
a public health issue with serious implica-
tions, and a violation of human rights [1].
When the worldwide coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increases, many
countries are taking enthusiastic programs,
such as encouraging individuals to adopt
social distance, limitation of business and
schools, and restriction of travel. Unfortunate-
ly, these programs can result in a reduction of
optimal safety [2].
During the COVID-19 crisis, health profes-
sionals were at the forefront of ghting against
disaster. Therefore, it is crucial to think of a
safe condition for the victims to declare and
do something against invasive behaviors. One
approach is to ask them if they feel safe in a
fair and safe manner. However, it is critical
that health professionals have the opportuni-
ty and motivation to listen to and respond to
the commonly useful ways in which victims
demonstrate that they are at risk of a danger-
ous condition [3].
For providing advice and counselling, the use
of online technologies is necessary for the vic-
tims, who may not have access to these abil-
ities. This emphasizes the importance of pro-
viding various technological types of support
and recognizes that people may be unable to
seek help or enough care while social obsta-
cles aect their safety, and well-being. Addi-
tionally, it is crucial to organize educational
groups and community awareness missions to
take action against unsafe opinions and habits
[4].
Consultants, therapists, advocates, and help-
line practitioners working in rehabilitation
services should provide adequate support and
care to victims and survivors exposed to im-
minent risks during the COVID-19 pandem-
ic, and should incorporate disaster readiness
into upcoming service delivery procedures,
building on previous lessons with a complete
understanding of the psychological conse-
quences of social isolation on survivors and
the abuse tactics of perpetrators, and develop-
ing urgent strategies in creating, testing, and
mapping out digital and digitally delivered
responses. On the other hand, governments
should reinforce these services to remain
open, access to personal protective equipment
to help their own clients [5].
The occurrence of domestic violence has
grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ac-
cordingly, it is suggested to increase knowl-
edge about victimization rates and reports
in order to make the appropriate referral and
reduce the burden of the problem. Also, the
information services, such as telehealth, ho-
tlines, and support and counseling centers,
should be accessible via social and traditional
GMJ
Copyright© 2021, Galen Medical Journal.
This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution 4.0 International License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Email:info@gmj.ir
Aghakhani N, et al. Domestic Violence and the COVID-19 Era
2GMJ.2023;12:e2814
www.gmj.ir
or established broadcasting or publishing me-
dia, as well as eective health care settings.
[GMJ.2023;12:e2814]
DOI:10.31661/gmj.v12i0.2814
Conict of Interest
The authors declare no conict of interests.
Keywords: Domestic Violence; COVID-19
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