This article contains references to domestic violence.
Women's economic insecurity during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic was linked with an increased chance of experiencing intimate partner violence, a new study has found.
The study builds on earlier research from Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) into the "shadow pandemic" of violence against women, in particular intimate partner violence (IPV).
It has reinforced calls to improve women's economic safety by including strategies that "address harmful attitudes supporting gender norms and dismantle systems that enable these problematic attitudes".
Researchers from the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) last year surveyed 10,000 women aged 18 years and over about their experiences of violence in their most recent intimate relationship prior to and during the first 12 months of the pandemic.
They were also asked about economic security, including financial stress and experiences of associated economic hardship, such as an inability to pay bills, going without medical treatment or skipping meals.
The survey found experiences of economic insecurity were common among women during this time, and this was linked with an increased likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence.
"What the report shows is that these two things are very strongly related to one another," the AIC's Anthony Morgan told SBS News.
"A woman who experienced certain forms of economic insecurity was much more likely to experience intimate partner violence. And a particular concern is first-time violence."
The survey found that economic stresses associated with the pandemic were linked both to the onset and escalation of intimate partner violence. Higher levels of financial stress were linked with first-time violence, while economic hardship was associated with both first-time and repeat violence.
This adds to a growing body of Australian and overseas research showing the economic consequences of the pandemic "have been associated with an increased likelihood of first-time violence ... and an increase in the frequency or severity of violence among those in abusive relationships", the report said.
"I think it [concern around first-time violence] shows perhaps the unintended but I think expected consequences of some of the important public health measures that were introduced," Mr Morgan said.
"We believe this contributes fairly strong evidence of an impact on intimate partner violence, and really adds to the body of evidence from Australia and now overseas as well.
"But I think it also draws attention to the role of some of those dimensions of economic insecurity as potential contributing factors."
The survey also found that economic disparity within relationships was associated with intimate partner violence, examples being women who were the main income earners, or who were employed when their partner was not.
"We found that specifically when the female respondent was the main income earner, she was significantly more likely to experience all forms of violence for the first time," Mr Morgan said.
"That's really shining a light not just on the role of economic insecurity but the harmful attitudes and the potential role of gender norms around who should be earning the money in a relationship and what implications that might have for violence."
'Not just an economic solution'
The report states the research has reinforced the need to focus on women's economic security in order to improve their safety - both during the pandemic and beyond.
But it says that schemes focused on improving the economic status of women alone may not mitigate the risk of violence in all circumstances.
"Efforts to improve the economic security of women therefore need to be supported by strategies to address these harmful attitudes and dismantle the systems that enable them," the report says.
"It is most concerning that women's experiences of economic insecurity were linked with an increased chance of also experiencing intimate partner violence, regardless of economic disparity within the relationship," ANROWS chief executive Padma Raman said.
"It is vital that responses to improve women's economic security are supported by strategies which address harmful attitudes supporting gender norms and dismantle systems that enable these problematic attitudes."
Mr Morgan agreed and said "we can't just assume this is an economic solution".
"There are different parts to the solution that I think need to be considered," he said.
The report also calls for financial support to be tailored and accessible to women who live with intersecting disadvantages, such as carer commitments or disability, and must be developed in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure they're culturally appropriate.
"We know this adds to an enormous body of evidence that shows us the experiences of violence are not equally shared in all sections of the community," Mr Morgan said.
He said the research provides "compelling" evidence of the urgency with which the country must respond to these issues.
"I think it demonstrates the intensity of this problem that has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it really demonstrates the urgency with which action needs to be taken, including as part of the next National Plan."
Minister for Women's Safety Anne Ruston said the government has released its draft National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-23, which has a strong focus on addressing women's recovery from violence, including economic security.
She said the research would play a key role in determining policy and practice initiatives stemming from it.
"Under the Morrison government’s record $1.1 billion investment in women’s safety at the 2021-22 Budget we established the new Escaping Violence Payment which provides victim-survivors leaving a violent relationship up to $5,000 in financial assistance to establish a home free from violence,” Ms Ruston said.
“We understand that financial hardship can be a barrier to leaving violent relationships and the new Escaping Violence Payment aims to provide direct financial support to victim-survivors when they make the incredibly brave decision to leave any form of intimate partner violence including physical violence, coercive control and financial abuse.”
ANROWS is an initiative of Australia's National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. It was established by the federal government to apply evidence for policy and practice addressing violence against women and their children.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, visit or find an . Resources for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can be found at .
The Men’s Referral Service provides advice for men on domestic violence and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
