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Responding to violence victims during COVID-19: ensuring equitable access to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment
Investigator (PI): Rizo, Cynthia Fraga; Van Deinse, Tonya B; Macy, Rebecca J; Kim, Jeongsuk; Wretman, Christopher J
Performing Organization (PO): (Current): University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work / (919) 962-4905
Supporting Agency (SA): University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute
Initial Year: 2020
Final Year: 2021
Record Source/Award ID: HSR/0
Award Type: Intramural
Abstract: The current COVID-19 global pandemic has had unexpected consequences for intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence and assault (SVA), and human trafficking (HT). Measures intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (e.g., sheltering in place, social distancing) have had unintended side effects on violence victims, including closer contact with perpetrators, increased economic stress, and social isolation, which has simultaneously increased the risk of violence victimization and limited accessibility of critical health and safety resources. To maintain provision of critical services during public health emergencies such as COVID-19, agencies need evidence to inform adaptations to services that promote COVID-19 prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while also sustaining the delivery of victim services. To this end, our team will investigate how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted IPV, SVA, and HT services (aim 1); and develop and refine guidelines for adapting IPV, SVA, and HT services in response to COVID-19 and other public health emergencies (aim 2). To address these aims we will (1) survey directors/leaders of IPV, SVA, and HT agencies across North Carolina (NC) (N=200); (2) hold four qualitative focus groups with practice experts in NC and nationally (N=20-32); and (3) hold two feedback sessions with victim services providers and practice experts (N=15-20) to refine preliminary guidelines. Project results and products will be shared with providers and researchers, and used to inform a subsequent, nationwide, externally funded project. The project team includes Cynthia Fraga Rizo (co-PI), Tonya B. Van Deinse (co-PI), Rebecca J. Macy (co-I), Jeongsuk Kim (post-doctoral scholar), and Christopher J. Wretman (co-I & analyst).
MeSH Terms:
  • * Coronavirus Infections /*diagnosis
  • /*prevention & control /*therapy
  • Crime Victims
  • Emergencies
  • Human Trafficking
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence /prevention & control
  • North Carolina
  • Social Determinants of Health /economics
  • Social Isolation /psychology
  • * Violence /*prevention & control
Keywords:
  • COVID-19
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Zip Code: 27599
UI: 20202569
Project Status: Ongoing