Women’s experiences and coping strategies in situations of intimate partner violence during the Covid-19 pandemic
1
Public Health, The Medical School (FMB) of São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2307
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Intimate partner violence against women is a complex social phenomenon¹,² rooted in gender inequalities³ and constitutes a major public health issue, affecting women’s health, well-being, and family life. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this form of violence was intensified by social isolation, economic instability,⁴ and reduced access to support services. This study aimed to understand the experiences of women living in situations of intimate partner violence during the pandemic and to analyze the coping strategies adopted within this context. A qualitative study was conducted with women aged 18 years or older who filed police reports for gender-based violence in a medium-sized municipality in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were selected based on self-declared race/color, educational level, and employment status. In-depth interviews were carried out with 14 women, and data saturation and data saturation⁵ guided the sample size. The findings showed that violence had been present in the women’s lives for a prolonged period, with an escalation of multiple forms of abuse. Reporting the violence during the pandemic represented a late step in trajectories marked by repeated attempts to cope. Approximately two years after filing the police report, most participants had ended the violent relationship, particularly those who received social support from family members, workplaces, and public policies. However, some women remained in union, using the police report as a strategy for immediate protection while continuing to experience vulnerability related to financial dependence, lack of family support, and limited institutional responsiveness. The study highlights that experiences of intimate partner violence are strongly influenced by gender socialization processes and sociocultural norms. Nevertheless, most women were able to break the cycle of violence, underscoring the importance of integrated public health actions, social support networks, and policies that promote women’s rights and protection.
Intimate partner violence against women is a complex social phenomenon¹,² rooted in gender inequalities³ and constitutes a major public health issue, affecting women’s health, well-being, and family life. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this form of violence was intensified by social isolation, economic instability,⁴ and reduced access to support services. This study aimed to understand the experiences of women living in situations of intimate partner violence during the pandemic and to analyze the coping strategies adopted within this context. A qualitative study was conducted with women aged 18 years or older who filed police reports for gender-based violence in a medium-sized municipality in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were selected based on self-declared race/color, educational level, and employment status. In-depth interviews were carried out with 14 women, and data saturation and data saturation⁵ guided the sample size. The findings showed that violence had been present in the women’s lives for a prolonged period, with an escalation of multiple forms of abuse. Reporting the violence during the pandemic represented a late step in trajectories marked by repeated attempts to cope. Approximately two years after filing the police report, most participants had ended the violent relationship, particularly those who received social support from family members, workplaces, and public policies. However, some women remained in union, using the police report as a strategy for immediate protection while continuing to experience vulnerability related to financial dependence, lack of family support, and limited institutional responsiveness. The study highlights that experiences of intimate partner violence are strongly influenced by gender socialization processes and sociocultural norms. Nevertheless, most women were able to break the cycle of violence, underscoring the importance of integrated public health actions, social support networks, and policies that promote women’s rights and protection.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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