Exploring the utilization of the legal system during COVID-19 among Black women intimate partner violence survivors

<ns3:p>Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal system was temporarily restructured to adhere to the recommended disease mitigation strategies. However, the pandemic also exacerbated the prevalence and intensity of intimate partner violence, especially among Black women. This led to Black women IPV survivors having to engage with the restructured legal system as a method of formal support to navigate their relationships. Through an intersectional lens, this study explores how Black women IPV survivors navigated the legal system amid the service disruptions of the global pandemic. Methods In the first half of 2021, 50 Black women IPV survivors who were engaged with domestic violence organizations were purposively recruited to participate in a one-time, semi-structured qualitative interview. Findings were analyzed using a combined thematic and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Two themes emerged as Black women IPV survivors discussed their experiences with the legal system during the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) failed protection from lack of granted protective orders and (2) ineffective legal proceedings. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic made it increasingly challenging for Black women IPV survivors to engage with the legal system. Black women IPV survivors recounted receipts of inadequate services regrind protective orders, a lack of knowledge regarding IPV from court officials, the emotional and mental toll from engaging with the legal system, limited staffing and resources from law enforcement, and extended court procedures. Implications for intersectional and survivor-centered policies, programs, and research are discussed to mitigate or prevent the harm that Black women IPV survivors experience from a system meant to protect them.</ns3:p>