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Background: The measures introduced to control the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and physical distancing, exerted considerable influence on society. Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine (1) the prevalence of people seeking Norwegian crisis shelters for domestic violence during the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) compared to the year before, (2) the demography and type of violence among first-time visitors and (3) to compare the utilization of the crisis shelters and characteristics of the users between shelters in the capital and the other shelters throughout Norway. Design: Observational study. Method: The study was based on data from each crisis shelter in 2019 and 2020. Comparison between the 2 years were based on corresponding periods (12 March until 31 December) and analysed with t -test and chi-square tests. Results: Total use of crises centres, residential stays and daytime visits were lower during the pandemic (n = 7102) compared to the pre-pandemic period (n = 11 814). There was a shift from daytime visits to phone contacts when the restrictions were established. There was a higher proportion of residential stays versus daytime visits during the pandemic (21.5%) compared to the pre-pandemic period (15.4%) (p ⩽ 0.001). The proportion of first-time users was higher during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period both for residents (52.4% vs 47.1%) and daytime visitors (10.9% vs 9.0%). Among first-time crisis shelter residents during the pandemic period, fewer reported having children at home compared to the pre-pandemic period. The background of the crisis-shelter users did not differ between the capital and rest of Norway, but the capital had relatively more residents with psychological violence and threats during the pandemic. Conclusion: The utilization of Norwegian crisis shelters, especially daytime visits was lower during the pandemic. There was a shift in daytime contacts from visits to phone contact at the pandemic outbreak. To ensure that information about available crisis shelters reaches the total population, these shelters should be prepared for a higher volume of phone contacts in a future pandemic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A qualitative study was conducted among 18 abused women from different parts of Norway to explore what paid work means for women exposed to partner violence and how living with an abusive partner affected their working life. Based on systematic text condensation analyses of their experiences as described in individual and focus group interviews, the study's findings reveal two major themes. The first is about recovery and survival, and the other about the spillover of problems caused by a violent partner into paid work. Work was important to the women, as it represented time off from violence, contact with others who cared for them, and maintenance of self-esteem and self-confidence. Having their own money provided security and strengthened the belief that they could manage on their own. The spillover of intimate partner violence problems appeared through feelings of fear, shame and guilt at work., Author(s): Kjersti Alsaker[sup.1] [sup.4] , Bente E. Moen[sup.2] , Valborg Baste[sup.3] , Tone Morken[sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Social Education and Social Work, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, [...]

Women (n = 87) at women's shelters in Norway, a country of high welfare and gender equality, reported a multitude of severe threats and actual acts of physical, sexual and psychological violence. An individual threatening to kill his partner represented a significant increased risk for experiencing serious acts of violence, especially when the threats were repeated. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all the women's shelters. Experiences of violence were measured by The Severity of Violence against Women Scale (SVAWS) and the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Index (PMWI). (Contains 5 tables.)

This is the first follow up study measuring quality of life among abused women who have left their abusive partner. The women (n = 22) answered a questionnaire while staying at women's shelter and one year later. The aim was to examine long-term effects of intimate partner violence against women on health-related quality of life. Health-related quality of life was measured using the SF-36 Health Survey and the WHOQOL-BREF. The meantime for living in a violent partnership was 11 years, most of the women had children under 10 years living with them, low income and were on sickness absence or disability pension. About half of the women had experienced threats of violence and 6 had experienced violent acts after leaving their partner. SF-36 scores after one year were significantly better in vitality (t-test, P less than 0.001), mental health (t-test P less than 0.001) and social domains (t-test, P less than 0.04). WHOQOL-BREF scores did not change significantly from baseline, showing that the SF-36 showed more responsiveness in this population. Regression analysis showed that serious physical violence reported at baseline predicted significantly less improvement in physical and mental health and role-emotional in the SF-36 and in social relationships and environmental health in the WHOQOL-BREF. High psychological violence at baseline predicted significantly less improvement in mental health in the SF-36 and in social relationships and environmental health in the WHOQOL-BREF.