Intimate partner violence against women in Chile during the 2020 pandemic lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant health, psychological, and social consequences, one of which was the increase in intimate partner violence against women. This trend was observed across various countries, as evidenced by the rise in calls to emergency hotlines dedicated to addressing such cases. This study aims to characterize intimate partner violence during the pandemic lockdown through a descriptive, mixed-methods design developed in two phases: (1) a survey disseminated via social media to document the phenomenon, and (2) in-depth interviews with a subsample of women who had experienced this type of violence. The main findings indicate an increase in the intensity and frequency of violent behaviors among couples with a history of violence prior to the pandemic (68%), as well as the emergence of violence in relationships where no previous incidents had occurred (32%). Additionally, four central content categories emerged: unveiling of the aggressor, heightened tension, personal activation, and emotional breakdown. The predominant form of violence was psychological, typically involving controlling behaviors by the partner, followed by economic violence. Both types were exacerbated by the lockdown context, which increased stress levels and altered relationship dynamics. The study's findings aim to inform public policy and support the development of improved strategies that enhance the responsiveness of services, enabling more timely and effective detection and intervention in cases of violence against women during times of crisis.