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Supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic

12 November 2020
Clinical
02 November 2020
Volume 29 · Issue 20

Disease outbreaks put the health of us all at risk; however, some people continue to be at higher risk than others. The COVID-19 pandemic is a global disaster that has severely disrupted the lives of populations all over the world, and women and girls are disproportionally affected in times of conflict and crisis (Spangaro et al, 2013). Disasters exacerbate pre-existing gender inequalities and power hierarchies. With this, increased incidences of sexual violence may worsen as prolonged quarantine, social isolation and economic stressors increase tension inside and outside the home. Women and girls have been, and at times continue to be, isolated from the people and resources that can help support them, and they will have few (if any) opportunities to distance themselves from their abusers.

This article presents the challenges that people experiencing sexual violence face during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests ways to improve practice in this period.

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