A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Help-Seeking Behavior for Violence Against Women During South Africa’s ‘Hard’ COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract Purpose Research about the extent of help-seeking for Violence Against Women (VAW) during the COVID-19 lockdown, and awareness and accessibility of VAW services in South Africa, is limited. This paper explored factors influencing help–seeking behavior among women experiencing violence at home in Gauteng province, South Africa, during this period. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews among women who experienced abuse, VAW service providers, and key informants. Thematic data analysis produced themes around women’s victimization, help-seeking, and its barriers and facilitators. Results During the hard COVID-19 lockdown, women faced increased emotional, physical, sexual and economic violence by male partners and family members, with significant mental health effects on women and children. Economic pressure from limited income or job losses influenced women’s financial dependence on male partners and intensified male control, conflict and violence in intimate and family relationships. While few women attempted to seek help from police and clinics, many encountered challenges or delayed help-seeking until lockdown eased. Barriers to help-seeking involved failures in health, psychosocial and legal services, including service providers’ dismissive attitudes, women’s limited awareness of available VAW services, fear of police arrest for being outside the home, and normalization of violence. Facilitators of help–seeking included support from family and friends, and fear of being killed by partners. Conclusions This paper underscores the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on VAW and women’s help-seeking agency, and highlights the need for improved readiness of health, psychosocial, and criminal justice services, and economic empowerment, to support women during future pandemics.