COVID-19 Structural Transformation and Program Adaptation in Emergency Domestic Violence Shelters

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased domestic violence (DV) rates and structurally changed how social services like emergency DV shelters could be provided. We surveyed employees at 103 U.S. DV shelter providers about how their organization experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, service provision impacts, and programmatic changes and adaptations. Six main categories emerged from the inductive content analysis: (1) increased need for services, (2) difficulties accessing shelter, (3) modification of the shelter environment, (4) technological adaptation, (5) provider welfare concerns, and (6) funding benefits and challenges. Shelters also implemented novel and creative methods of service delivery, including telehealth services and employee remote work. While there were frictions in implementation, these technologies created new opportunities for accessibility and service provision.