TY - JOUR
T1 - On the Front Lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic
T2 - Occupational Experiences of the Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault Workforce
AU - Wood, Leila
AU - Schrag, Rachel Voth
AU - Baumler, Elizabeth
AU - Hairston, Dixie
AU - Guillot-Wright, Shannon
AU - Torres, Elizabeth
AU - Temple, Jeff R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 SAGE Publications.
PY - 2022/6
Y1 - 2022/6
N2 - In the face of increasing risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to understand the experiences of the workforce providing support to survivors, as well as the evolving service delivery methods, shifting safety planning approaches, and occupational stress of frontline workers. We addressed this gap by conducting an online survey of members of IPV and sexual assault workforce using a broad, web-based recruitment strategy. In total, 352 staff from 24 states participated. We collaborated with practitioner networks and anti-violence coalitions to develop the brief survey, which included questions about work and health, safety planning, and stress. We used chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA analysis techniques to analyze differences within position and demographic variables. For qualitative data, we used thematic analysis to analyze responses from four open-ended questions. The sample was majority female-identified (93.7%) and essential workers in dual IPV and sexual assault programs (80.7%). Findings demonstrated that since the pandemic began, IPV and sexual assault staff are experiencing more personal and professional stressors, perceive a decrease in client safety, and lack resources needed to help survivors and themselves. Common problems included a lack of food or supplies at home and work and housing and financial support for survivors. There was a 51% increase in the use of video conference for work, which contributed to workforce strain. Reductions in overall service capacity and a shift to remote service provision have implications for both survivors and staff. These findings suggest a critical need for additional training, infrastructure, and support for the IPV and sexual assault workforce. There is an urgent need to classify IPV and sexual assault staff as first responders and address the occupational stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
AB - In the face of increasing risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to understand the experiences of the workforce providing support to survivors, as well as the evolving service delivery methods, shifting safety planning approaches, and occupational stress of frontline workers. We addressed this gap by conducting an online survey of members of IPV and sexual assault workforce using a broad, web-based recruitment strategy. In total, 352 staff from 24 states participated. We collaborated with practitioner networks and anti-violence coalitions to develop the brief survey, which included questions about work and health, safety planning, and stress. We used chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA analysis techniques to analyze differences within position and demographic variables. For qualitative data, we used thematic analysis to analyze responses from four open-ended questions. The sample was majority female-identified (93.7%) and essential workers in dual IPV and sexual assault programs (80.7%). Findings demonstrated that since the pandemic began, IPV and sexual assault staff are experiencing more personal and professional stressors, perceive a decrease in client safety, and lack resources needed to help survivors and themselves. Common problems included a lack of food or supplies at home and work and housing and financial support for survivors. There was a 51% increase in the use of video conference for work, which contributed to workforce strain. Reductions in overall service capacity and a shift to remote service provision have implications for both survivors and staff. These findings suggest a critical need for additional training, infrastructure, and support for the IPV and sexual assault workforce. There is an urgent need to classify IPV and sexual assault staff as first responders and address the occupational stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
KW - COVID-19 pandemic
KW - domestic violence
KW - occupational stress
KW - sexual assault
KW - telehealth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85097768827&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85097768827&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0886260520983304
DO - 10.1177/0886260520983304
M3 - Article
C2 - 33334241
AN - SCOPUS:85097768827
SN - 0886-2605
VL - 37
SP - NP9345-NP9366
JO - Journal of Interpersonal Violence
JF - Journal of Interpersonal Violence
IS - 11-12
ER -