Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study About Dynamics and Help-Seeking Experiences of Immigrant Women in Portugal

This study explores the dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence dynamics and the help-seeking experiences of immigrant women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal through an intersectional framework. Despite ample literature on intimate partner violence, few studies have explicitly focused on the compounded challenges faced by immigrant women during a global health crisis. Through qualitative research, we conducted 17 semi-structured interviews with immigrants who experienced intimate partner violence during the pandemic. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results reveal that the pandemic exacerbated violence dynamics, with most participants reporting an increase in violence and a diversification in its types. Additionally, the coping mechanisms employed by victims were often ineffective in mitigating this violence. Regarding help-seeking, the study identified five main barriers, highlighting the role of cultural barriers, isolation, lack of knowledge about available resources, economic dependency, and fear of legal repercussions. These barriers compounded the difficulties faced by victims in accessing support. This research reinforces the transversal impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the lives of immigrant women who faced intimate partner violence, emphasizing the need to adopt an intersectional approach that addresses the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population. Actions needed include culturally tailored educational campaigns to raise awareness of violence and available resources, community-building initiatives to reduce isolation, and policy reforms to improve the accessibility and responsiveness of support services for this population.