Social distancing in times of Covid-19: an analysis of its effects on domestic violence

This study analyzed the effects of social distancing in times of Covid-19 on domestic violence. We conducted a documentary study of news content in four online national newspapers. The study included news published between 20 March and 25 April 2020 addressing social distancing and domestic violence. A content analysis was conducted using the software IRAMUTEQ adopting the approach proposed by Bardin. The lexicographic and content analysis of the corpus of 102 news items produced four thematic categories: protection networks, the home environment, the increase in cases of domestic violence, and the pandemic as a driver of the phenomenon. Social distancing imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated domestic violence, demonstrating the need for interventions and the strengthening of the protection network.

Keywords
Domestic violence; Violence; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Social distancing