PROJECTS

Welcome to my Projects section, where I showcase the diverse range of initiatives I am currently working on. From my thesis research to my collaborations with organizations like the UNODC and the University of Ottawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics, as well as my CIHR HSI Fellowship with the Canadian Red Cross, each project reflects my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field.

Doctoral Projects

Welcome to my Doctoral Projects Portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my work designed to understand how COVID-19 lockdown measures implemented in the province of Ontario affected individuals’ experiences of IPV, their perceived health outcomes and access to supports from the perspectives of both service providers and survivors of IPV.

Exploring access to health and social supports for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors during stressful life events (SLEs) - A scoping review

This study explores how access to support services changes for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) during major stressful life events such as pandemics, economic crises, and natural disasters. During these times, violence often increases while access to support — including healthcare, social services, justice systems, and even help from friends and family — becomes more limited. We reviewed 72 studies from high-income countries (most focused on COVID-19) to better understand the barriers survivors face and what helps improve access to services. Our findings show that during crises, resources are often redirected, support systems become strained, and survivors—especially those already marginalized—face additional challenges. To better protect survivors in future emergencies, governments and service providers must invest in strong, culturally responsive support systems and ensure that the expertise of the violence against women sector is included in emergency planning and policymaking.

Idriss-Wheeler D, Bancroft X, Bouraleh S, Buy M, Yaya S, El-Khatib Z. Exploring access to health and social supports for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors during stressful life events (SLEs)—A scoping review. PLOS ONE. 2024 Dec 2;19(12):e0313613. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0313613

Locked down, locked out: a cross-sectional study on experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and barriers to formal and informal support during COVID-19 lockdowns in Ontario

This study examines how COVID-19 lockdowns in Ontario affected access to support for people experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).

Using survey data from 1,344 adults in Ontario during the lockdown period (March 2020–June 2021), we found that nearly one in four participants reported experiencing IPV. Survivors were significantly more likely to face barriers to formal supports such as healthcare, legal services, and housing, and were also more likely to experience reduced contact with friends and family. The findings show that lockdown measures, while necessary for public health, unintentionally intensified isolation and limited access to critical supports—particularly for low-income households, caregivers, and those in poor physical or mental health. The study highlights the urgent need for emergency preparedness plans that protect and fund IPV services during crises, use discreet technology-based supports, and ensure that assistance is accessible to all survivors. Future pandemic responses must proactively safeguard IPV services rather than rely on reactive, under-resourced interventions.

Idriss-Wheeler D, Surkan P, Bainbridge S, El-Khatib Z. Locked down, locked out: a cross-sectional study on experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and barriers to formal and informal support during COVID-19 lockdowns in Ontario. BMC Public Health. 2025 Nov 17;25(1):3962. https://doi-org.proxy.bib.uottawa.ca/10.1186/s12889-025-25124-7

UNODC

These projects focus on evaluating family-based interventions designed to strengthen caregiver–child relationships, improve family functioning, and promote child well-being in contexts affected by stress, displacement, and socioeconomic hardship. The research examines how brief, skills-based family programs can support positive parenting, emotional communication, and resilience among families facing adversity.

Through implementation and evaluation in diverse global settings, this work contributes to understanding how family strengthening initiatives can serve as protective factors for children and caregivers, while informing scalable, culturally responsive approaches to mental health and social support.

Impact of the Strong Families Programme in Cambodia

This project evaluates the impact of the Strong Families Programme in Cambodia, a low–middle-income setting, assessing changes in parenting practices, family cohesion, and child emotional well-being. The study highlights how brief, culturally adaptable family skills interventions can support positive family environments and act as protective factors for children and caregivers in resource-constrained contexts.

El-Khani A, Idriss-Wheeler D, Chea S, Darwish S, Maalouf W. Impact of a Brief Family Skills Training Programme “Strong Families” in a Low–Middle-Income-Country: Cambodia. Children. 2025 Jun;12(6):728. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/728

Evaluating the Strong Families Programme in Lebanon

This study examines the implementation of the Strong Families Programme in Lebanon, focusing on its impact on family functioning and child well-being in a context affected by social and economic stress. The research explores how brief, skills-based family interventions can strengthen caregiver–child relationships, improve communication, and support resilience among families facing adversity.

El-Khani A, Idriss-Wheeler D, Farhat L, Yassine Al, Darwish S, Maalouf W. Evaluating the Strong Families Programme in Lebanon: A Single-Arm Study on Family Functioning and Child Well-Being. International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies.2025. https://jcasc.com/index.php/jcasc/article/view/3601