Responding to the ‘Shadow Pandemic:’ Practitioner views on the nature of and responses to violence against women in Victoria, Australia during the COVID-19 restrictions

The COVID-19 global health pandemic has increased women’s vulnerability to all forms of gender-based violence. Australia, like many other countries worldwide, entered into a period of government-directed lockdowns in the first weeks of March 2020, which included stay-at-home orders and movement restrictions. With more people confined to their homes to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, there is a greater risk of violence against women and children. The UN Secretary-General has labelling violence against women the ‘shadow pandemic’. Recently released data by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) predicts that for every three months the lockdowns continue an additional 15 million cases of domestic violence will occur worldwide. This Report presents the findings from a survey of 166 Victorian practitioners. The survey sought to capture the voices and experiences of practitioners responding to women experiencing violence during the COVID-19 shutdown in Victoria, Australia.