A pandemic within a pandemic: Intimate partner violence in Canada's immigrant communities

Behind closed doors during Canada's COVID-19 lockdowns, a devastating crisis unfolded. While the world focused on mask mandates and social distancing, immigrant women across Canada faced an equally dangerous threat: a surge in intimate partner violence (IPV).

An eye-opening narrative review published in the journal Women, led by PhD candidate Manal Fseifes and Professor Josephine B. Etowa from the University of Ottawa's School of Nursing, pulls back the curtain on this hidden epidemic. Their findings paint a haunting picture of how the pandemic turned homes into prisons for many immigrant women.

"We discovered a perfect storm," reveals lead author Fseifes. "The very measures meant to keep people safe from COVID-19 - lockdowns, isolation, stay-at-home orders - created ideal conditions for abusers to exert control."

The study uncovers a brutal irony: immigrant women, who often come to Canada seeking safety and new opportunities, found themselves trapped in a web of violence with nowhere to turn. Language barriers became walls, immigration status became chains, and social isolation became a weapon in the hands of abusers.

While IPV shelters and legal aid services struggled to operate during lockdowns, immigrant women faced additional hurdles. Many didn't know how to access help in a foreign system, couldn't communicate their distress in English or French, or feared that seeking help might jeopardize their immigration status.

The research team's deep dive into recent literature revealed patterns that should alarm every Canadian. The pandemic didn't just create new cases of abuse - it amplified existing ones, turning simmering tensions into boiling points of violence.

"The restrictions intensified social isolation and limited access to support networks, creating environments where IPV could thrive unnoticed," explains Fseifes.

The study was written as a rallying call for change. The authors are pushing for a complete overhaul of how we support immigrant women facing IPV. They envision a system that doesn't just offer help but offers it in ways that acknowledge and respect cultural differences.

"We need to stop treating immigrant women as statistics," Fseifes emphasizes. "Each case represents a human being caught between the trauma of abuse and the barriers of a system that wasn't built with them in mind."

"Our review provides a critical call to action for policymakers and healthcare providers to address the structural inequities that leave immigrant women vulnerable and to prioritize strategies that enhance their safety and well-being", she adds.

“Multiple risk factors come together to shape how immigrant women experience intimate partner violence (IPV). Their personal stories are influenced by a complex mix of social connections, cultural backgrounds, and societal structures, each playing a crucial part in their unique situations”, clarifies Fseifes.

As Canada emerges from the shadow of COVID-19, this review spotlights a crisis that can't be cured with vaccines or masks. It demands a new approach - one that ensures no woman has to choose between enduring abuse and navigating an intimidating system alone.

"We must work together to break down the barriers that prevent these women from escaping abuse and ensure they have the resources and support they need to thrive, not just survive," urges Fseifes.

The message is clear: while the pandemic may be fading, its ripple effects continue to impact some of our most vulnerable community members. The time to act is now.

To learn more, read the narrative review in Women Journal: The COVID-19 Pandemic and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Among Immigrant Women in Canada.