Intimate Partner Violence and COVID-19 in Rural, Remote, and Northern Canada: Relationship, Vulnerability and Risk
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REVIEW ARTICLE
Intimate Partner Violence and COVID-19 in Rural, Remote, and Northern Canada: Relationship, Vulnerability and Risk Pertice Moffitt 1 & Wendy Aujla 2 & Crystal J. Giesbrecht 3 & Isabel Grant 4 & Anna-Lee Straatman 5 Accepted: 4 October 2020 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract In rural, remote, and northern parts of Canada, the pre-existing vulnerability and risk for intimate partner violence has been exacerbated by COVID-19. The purpose of this commentary is to identify the unique impact of COVID-19 on intimate partner violence both in terms of the bearing on those experiencing abuse and on the service sector in rural, remote and northern communities where the rates of intimate partner violence and intimate partner femicide pre-pandemic are higher than in larger cities. The recommendations offered in this paper include enhanced safety planning, alternate housing for victims fleeing violence, and suggestions for service providers. We also offer ways to move forward with further research in the COVID-19 era. Keywords Coronavirus . COVID-19 pandemic . Intimate partner violence . Domestic violence . Rural . Remote . And northern . Canada
On March 18, a public health state of emergency was declared in the Northwest Territories (Government of NWT 2020) joining many other provinces and territories in Canada. According to the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), this action was required to protect citizens during the pandemic. By establishing a State of Emergency,1 the CPHO is granted powers to
purchase additional medical supplies; make orders that restrict movement in and out of the territory; sanction containment efforts requiring people to self-isolate and practice physical distancing; plan, coordinate, and implement health care system personnel; and, expedite jurisdictional licensing if additional staff are required (Government of NWT 2020).
1 In RRN Canada, isolation is often experienced but now it is sanctioned by government to a greater extreme: the borders are closed with limited travel in or out by only essential services; travellers returning to their homes are mandated to self-isolate for fourteen days; gatherings are restricted to only immediate family within a household. Physical distancing disrupts relationships and displaces families from their frequent visits with brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc.; many items are restricted for purchase by families, such as, toilet paper, a valued commodity, as people fearfully prepare for the unknown; staples like yeast for making bread are in low supply; citizens are encouraged to stock their cupboards; the stress and fear of acquiring COVID-19 is leading to increased calls on the help-lines.
* Pertice Moffitt [email protected] Wendy Aujla [email protected] Crystal J. Giesbrecht [email protected] Isabel Grant [email protected]
Anna-Lee Straatman [email protected] 1
Health Research Programs, Aurora Research Institute/Aurora College, Yellowknife, NT, Canada
2
University of Alberta, Edm
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