Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Victim Services

The COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental impact on communities across the nation and significantly affected various aspects of individuals’ lives. One of the negative impacts was an increase in gender-based violence accompanied by shifting barriers to accessing services and support. Victims and victim service providers faced various challenges dealing with the increase in need for services, navigating barriers to help-seeking, and addressing logistical issues. This webinar will include presentations from NIJ-funded researchers studying the impact of COVID-19 on service provision for victims and survivors of gender-based violence in eight U.S. counties, and from grantees of the Office on Violence Against Women who will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their communities and in their work. Audience members will learn about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on victim services, how service providers adapted their practices to overcome challenges and meet the needs of victims, and what lessons learned can be applied post-pandemic.