Social Workers Response to Domestic Violence and Abuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic
British Journal of Social Work
; 53(1):386-404, 2023.
Article
in English
| CINAHL | ID: covidwho-2241501
ABSTRACT
The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has put increased pressure on health and social service providers, including social workers who continued front line practice throughout the pandemic, engaging with some of the most vulnerable in society often experiencing multiple adversities alongside domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Movement restrictions and stay-at-home orders introduced to slow the spread of the virus, paradoxically leave these families at even greater risk from those within the home. Utilising a survey methodology combining both open- and closed-ended questions, this study captured a picture of social work practice in Ireland with families experiencing DVA during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight both the changes and challenges in work practices and procedures that limit social work assessment and quality contact with families, changes to the help-seeking behaviours from victims/survivors, as well as emerging innovative practice responses with enhanced use of technology. Implications for practice include an increased awareness of the risk and prevalence of DVA accelerated by the pandemic. Conclusions assert that social work assessment and intervention with families experiencing DVA must remain adaptive to the changing COVID-19 context and continue to develop innovative practice approaches.
COVID-19 Pandemic -- Prevention and Control -- Ireland; Stay-at-Home Orders -- Psychosocial Factors; Domestic Violence -- Risk Factors; Domestic Violence -- Prevention and Control; Social Worker Attitudes -- Evaluation; Work Experiences -- Evaluation; Practice Patterns -- Evaluation; Risk Assessment; Social Work Practice; Human; Ireland; Social Workers -- Psychosocial Factors; Funding Source; Open-Ended Questionnaires; Structured Questionnaires; Adaptation, Occupational; Professional-Client Relations; Help Seeking Behavior; Crime Victims -- Psychosocial Factors; Diffusion of Innovation; Health Services Accessibility; Multimethod Studies; Data Analysis Software; Descriptive Statistics; Inferential Statistics; Thematic Analysis; Questionnaires
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
CINAHL
Language:
English
Journal:
British Journal of Social Work
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
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