Locked down, locked out: a cross-sectional study on experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) a

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.