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Review
. 2020 Jul:289:113046.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113046. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Danger in danger: Interpersonal violence during COVID-19 quarantine

Marianna Mazza  1 , Giuseppe Marano  1 , Carlo Lai  2 , Luigi Janiri  1 , Gabriele Sani  1
Affiliations
Review

Danger in danger: Interpersonal violence during COVID-19 quarantine

Marianna Mazza et al. Psychiatry Res. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as physical or sexual violence, emotional abuse and stalking. It is typically experienced by women but can also be experienced by men. During quarantine due to the COVID-19, home risks to become a very dangerous place for victims of domestic violence.

Method: Very recent studies focusing on abusive situations during COVID emergence were identified in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase.

Results: During the COVID-19 outbreak people have encountered an invisible and dark enemy and an experience of impotence. Due to the feelings of frustration and agitation, aggression arises with possible transgenerational transmission of trauma and violence.

Conclusions: Especially during quarantine and COVID emergence around the world there is a need of programs aimed to prevent acts of domestic violence and to achieve accurate assessment of multiple domains of abuse (psychological, physical, sexual) provided by trained multidisciplinary staffs (including psychiatrists, psychologists, social and legal services).

Keywords: Aggression; COVID-19; Intimate Partner Violence; Mental Health; Quarantine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Comment in

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