Perspectives on domestic violence in rural U.S. communities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Services for domestic violence (DV) victims have long been limited in rural areas due to geographic isolation, lack of transportation, and limited access to legal services, housing, and health services. While virtual services developed during COVID-19 expanded access for some, this shift potentially worsened rural disparities related to Internet access, housing and transportation, and resource shortages. Theory: Evidence from research and practice demonstrate empowerment-based services improve victim outcomes by building knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy. However, little is known about the impact disruptions to social contexts due to disasters and emergencies may have on the delivery of empowerment-based services. Method: Executive directors of State and Territorial DV coalitions completed key informant interviews. Additional data were collected with open-ended questions in an online survey of shelters and service providers. Results: Coalition leaders and program staff reported limited success with virtual support for rural victims. While virtual support could help when in-person support was infeasible, it was difficult to maintain rural victim safety and privacy with poor internet connections and limited internet fluency. Sheltering in rural areas was difficult without hoteling and other unique challenges (e.g., responsibility for livestock) could not be addressed with virtual solutions. Discussion: While the shift to virtual services during COVID-19 allowed for maintenance of some services, there were challenges for the workforce and victims. There were unique obstacles to virtual services in rural areas. Equitable access to DV services for rural victims will require concerted efforts to close documented and anticipated gaps.