Emergency Shelters During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploration into the Needs of Women Fleeing Intimate Partner Violence

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Issue Date

2023

Editor

Authors

Parker, Caitlin

License

Subject

School of humanitarian studies

Abstract

Public Health Emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic give rise to distinctive and complex stressors which can increase intimate partner violence. This violence can lead to women fleeing their homes and into emergency shelters where specific needs are expressed. This study utilized a qualitative approach to explore what changes women’s shelter organizations have observed in the needs of women, how they have addressed these needs during the pandemic, and what impact these changes have had on the women. The findings highlighted the unique challenges organizations faced throughout the pandemic and how these organizations adapted to these challenges. The study illustrated that the circumstances surrounding the pandemic have required organizations to adopt and implement updated policies and procedures to increase opportunities for women to access their services and concludes with four recommendations for women’s shelters.

Description

2023

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