Uni to lift the lid on domestic abuse in lockdown
New study to focus on how restrictions impacted victims
An investigation into the impact of lockdown on those experiencing domestic abuse is to be spearheaded by Paisley academics.
The University of the West of Scotland has launched the probe, which aims to assess the effects of the pandemic on those living with abusers and the support services they use.
It seeks to identify any lockdown-related changes in the frequency, severity and nature of abuse and, crucially, what impact this has had on children within the home.
The subsequent effects on survivors’ mental health will also be looked at.
Dr Zara Brodie, principal investigator and lecturer in psychology at UWS, said the work was crucial to identifying the help needed by those living with domestic abuse as we emerge from the pandemic.
She said: “Initial reports illustrate that lock down measures have been associated with a substantial increase in the prevalence and severity of domestic abuse.
“However, no research has examined potential changes in the nature of this abuse, or the impact of lockdown on victims and others in the home.
“This is important to aid in the development of support plans for victims of abuse going forward.”
Dr Brodie, alongside Dr Roxanne Hawkins and Dr Chloe MacLean from UWS, is also working directly with several domestic abuse helplines to gain an understanding of the lived impact of lockdown on their service users and staff.
The project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to Covid-19 and is expected to take 18 months.
It has been welcomed by many domestic abuse support agencies.
A spokesperson from the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre, said: “Our centre has seen firsthand the significant impact that the pandemic has had on women and children living with domestic abuse, as well as on support services like ours.
“We warmly welcome research into this area and we hope that the learnings from this project can help remove some of the barriers that survivors and support organisations have faced throughout this health crisis.”
A spokesperson from Abused Men in Scotland added: “The research being carried out by UWS at this time is particularly poignant and we feel very privileged to be in a position where we are able to facilitate some of our service users to researchers who are able to publish their experiences with anonymity and respect.”
People who have been affected by domestic abuse can access support by visiting www. scottishwomensrightscentre.org. uk or www.abusedmeninscotland.org
The research being carried out by UWS at this time is particularly poignant Abused Men in Scotland