Combating Domestic Violence – Professional Strategies, Informal Systems, and New Challenges During the Pandemic: Records from Germany and India

This chapter delves into social workers’ roles in addressing domestic violence during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing the German and Indian contexts. It probes strategies to reach victims across diverse community backgrounds, emphasizing the significance of informal support networks like family, kin, and peers. Exploring sociocultural and economic determinants in both societies, this chapter underscores the protective function of informal groups and their implications for social work initiatives. Research findings in Germany reveal the interplay between domestic violence, pandemic effects, and social support. In India, informal networks serve as vital havens for women in conflict, although professional interventions are infrequent. This chapter advocates leveraging the theory of social support to strengthen resilience through social work programs. Case studies from Germany and India spotlight efforts to foster virtual communities, collective activities, and awareness campaigns. Ultimately, this chapter underscores the importance of incorporating non-professional and informal aid systems within social work strategies.