




































Covid-19 Measures and the Exacerbation of  Intimate Partner Violence 

in Calabar 
1Omang, Thomas. A., 2Angioha, Pius U.,3Ojong-Ejoh, Mary U. & Abang, Thelma  
1,23&4Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 

 
Corresponding Author 
Omang, Thomas Achoda 

omangta@gmail.com 
 
Abstract 

This study empirically examines the extent to which the Covid 19 has 

exacerbationintimate partner violence in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The 

descriptive survey research method was adopted for the study. the purposive and simple 

random sampling technique was used in selecting 417 participants from Calabar 

metropolis. The instrument of data collection was the semi-structured self-developed 

questionnaire. Data collected from the field was analyzed using descriptive and 

influential statistics at 0.05 level of significance out of the 417 instruments, only 393 was 

returned and used for analysis. The result from the descriptive analysis revealed that most 

participants (85%) reported abused during the lockdown. The most common form of 

abuse was emotional abuse (45.5%). Findings also revealed the rate of abuse was far 

higher when compared with before the Covid 19 lockdown. From the correlation 

analysis, result revealed a significant correlation between Covid 19, lockdown and 

intimate partner violence. The study concludes that COVID 19, the lockdown has 

significantly increased the incidence of intimate partner violence in Calabar, cross river 

state. Hence, there is need for the government to include Covid 19 essential services that 

will focus on intimate partner and other domestic violence response, provide the 

necessary resource that will make them function properly and identify ways to make 

them assessable.  

Keyword:Covid-19, lockdown, intimate partner violence, domestic violence,Calabar 

 

Introduction 

Violence against women is a human right violation that is prevalent globally and 

has a negative effect on the wellbeing of victims, their family as well as the community. 

Intimate partner violence is the most prevalent form of violence against women 

(WHO,2013). According to United Nation (2020), 243 million women aged between the 

ages of 15 and 49 has experienced one form of sexual or physical violence from a spouse 

or intimate partner in the last 12 months. More than a third of women who are killed 

intentionally are killed by a spouse or intimate partner violence (Chernet & Cherrie, 

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mailto:angiohapius@gmail.com


2020; Campbell,2020). Data and evidence have shown that intimate partner violence and 

other forms of violence against women tend to increase during a pandemic, war and other 

forms of human emergencies (Vora, Malathesh, Das & Chatterjee, 2020; Ukwayi., 

Angioha & Nwagboso, 2018). The novel coronavirus pandemic first reported in Wuhan 

province, China, December 2019 caused by SAR-Cov-2 virus has become a defining 

global health issue and the greatest challenge the world has faced since the second world 

war. Since its emergence in China, the virus has spread to almost all the part of the world. 

As at 23hrs central African time, 28 July 2020, there was 16,540,137 cases of the 

coronavirus and 655,300 confirm death as a result of complications from the virus 

(Worldometers,2020). 

The pandemic has become much more than just a global health crisis. It has 

developed into and has created a devastating social, economic and political effect that has 

left a scar that will remain long after the pandemic (Gulati & Kelly,2020; Roesch, Amin, 

Gupta, & Garcia-Moreno,2020). As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, 

different government continue to announce measures on how to tackle the spread of the 

pandemic. The measures have continued to alter the day to day life people. These 

measures include quarantines, social distancing, isolation, travel restrictions and 

compulsory stay at home. Although these measures have been effective in checking the 

spread of SARs -Cov-2 virus yet it has had a profound and devastating effect on 

financial, social and psychological life of people globally, bringing with it increased 

unemployment, economic strain, increased alcoholism, post-traumatic stress and 

continuous increase in domestic violence, especially intimate partners violence (Boserup, 

Mckenny &Elkhuli,2020; Brooks, webster, Smith, Woodland, Wessely, Greenberg & 

Rubin,2020). 

While there is a dearth in data or reliable estimates on the extent of increase of 

intimate partner violence as a result of measures to curb the spread of Covid -19. Reports 

from countries most hit by the pandemic such as China, the United States of America, 

Britain have shown a spike on the incidence of intimate partner violence (Goddin, 2020). 

According to Allen -Ebrahimiam (2020), the number of intimate partner violence cases 

reported to the police in the Chinese city of Hubei triple in February compared to the 

period a year ago. Information from digital (2020) reported that 87,000 incidences of 

intimate partner violence and other forms of domestic violence was reported in the first 

eight days of lockdown during corvid 19. Statistics released by the National Commission 

of Women, India stated that there has been a 100 per cent increase in complaint as they 

relate to intimate partner violence since the lockdown was imposed in March 2020. The 

report by united nation women (2020) warned that women will disproportionately be 

affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the pandemic will increase pre-existing risk and 

vulnerability and will widen gender inequality. 

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According to the United Nations (2020), attention has been drawn to a surge in a 

shadow pandemic, domestic violence since the coronavirus pandemic started and the 

institution of measures such as lockdown, quarantine put in place to curb the spread of 

the pandemic in Nigeria have helped to instigate this surge. Another United Nation 

(2020b) document point to a report from 24 states in Nigeria that indicate 346 incidences 

of sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in march alone and within two 

weeks of April, the figure had increased by 56 per cent. The Lagos State Domestic and 

Social Respond Team (2020) reports a threefold increase in domestic violence in the state 

and these are attributed to lockdown in the state. These incidences have sometimes 

tragically lead to the death of some of the victims and leave a psychological and physical 

effect on the lives of survivors and their family members. These study analyses the 

prevalence and extent to which the novel coronavirus has increased the incidence of 

intimate partner violence.  

Materials and Method 

Study Setting 

Calabar Metropolis covers two local government areas in Cross River State. The 

Metropolis covers an area of 157 square kilometres. The city is sandwiched between two 

rivers: The Great Kwa River and the Calabar River. The original inhabitants of the area 

are the Efuts, Quas and the Efiks (Agabo Agba, Ikoh, Bassey & Ushie, 2010; Ukwayi, 

Angioha & Aniah 2019; Omang, Liu& Eneji, 2013;Ukwayi, Angioha& Ojong-Ejoh, 

2018). But because of mass migration as a result of metropolis being the state capital and 

the location of various industries in the metropolis, other ethnic groups are now found in 

the area. According to the national population commission (2006) census, the population 

of the Metropolis 328,877 and has a density of 980 persons per square kilometre. As the 

capital of cross river, the area pulls a high population of civil servants, and business 

people, farming and farming remain a major occupation of the people of the area. 

Study Method 

The descriptive survey research method was adopted for the study. This method 

attempts to systematically and accurately describe a situation, population or a 

phenomenon. The design allows the use of selected units of a population to analyses a 

large population (Ukwayi, Okpa, Adedoyin, Angioha, & Udom, 2017; Bassey, Abang & 

Iji, 2017). Applying the descriptive survey method, a pretrial Semi-Structured Self-

Developed Questionnaire was used to elicit information from the selected participants in 

the study area. 

Participants 

A sample of 417 was used for the study, the sample size was determined using the 

Survey Monkey Sample Determined Technique at 95 per cent confidence level and 4.8 

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per cent margin of error. The samples were randomly selected from a population of 

women above the age of 20 who were either married or in a serious relationship. the 

samples were selected using stratified, purposive and simple random sampling technique. 

Calabar was stratified into two strata, based on the two local government area that makes 

up the metropolis, Calabar South and Calabar Municipal Council. The purposive 

sampling technique was used in selecting these wards from each of the three Local 

Government Area. The wards are Calabar South, ward 12, 11 and 9. Calabar Municipal, 

ward 2,6, and 8. from these wards 3 communities were selected using purposive sampling 

technique. The communities selected are highlighted in table 1. from the 3 communities 

selected, the researcher randomly selected 23 women above the age of 20 from 15 

communities and 24 from 3 communities. The criteria for selections was each participant 

where females, most have been married or in a serious relationship and most have spent 

the quarantined lockdown period with an intimate partner.  

Table 1 
Sample Selection from Calabar 

S/N Local Government Area Wards Communities and 
Sample size 

1 Calabar South 9 Palm street (24) 
Mayne Avenue (23) 
Atu street (23) 

11 Afokang (23) 
New Airport (24) 
Mbukpa (23) 

12 Ekpo Abasi (23) 
Uwanse (23) 
Yellow Duke (23) 

2 Calabar Municipal Council 2 Edim Otop (23) 
Abang Asang (23) 
Otu Ansa (23) 

6 Ishie Town (23) 
Akai Effa (24) 
Ikot Eka-Idem (23) 

8 Federal Housing (23) 
Ikot Ansa (23) 
Esuk Utan (23) 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

Ethical Consideration  

Clearance was collected from the Covid-19 response team in Cross River State to 
allow the researchers and their team carryout the study without any interference from the 
security team. Written consent was attached to the instrument distributed to the 
participants. Each participant gave their consent to be used for the study. They were first 
told what the study was for and the anonymity of the information supplied was assured. 

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Method of Data Collection and Analysis

Data collection was for two weeks, with the aid of five research assistant, who 
were trained on the process of data collection. Data collected from the field was checked 
to make sure all the questions were attended to the data was then coded and analyzed 
using descriptive statistics; simple percentages, frequency distribution and graphical 
illustration and simple lineal regression during the period when the lockdown was eased 
in cross river state. Out of the 417
returned. Representing 94.2 per cent return rate. this number was used for analy

Findings 

Presentation of Result 
Questions were develop based on the 

such as frequency distribution. Percentages and graphical illustration were used to 

analyze the data collected from the field before the data was subjected to inferential 

statistics. Result was presented in Table 1.

Responses on Covid
S/N Item 

1 How did you spend 
the lockdown 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020

Graphic illustration of 

 
 
 

Fiance

husband &Children

Alone

Method of Data Collection and Analysis 

Data collection was for two weeks, with the aid of five research assistant, who 
on the process of data collection. Data collected from the field was checked 

to make sure all the questions were attended to the data was then coded and analyzed 
using descriptive statistics; simple percentages, frequency distribution and graphical 

ation and simple lineal regression during the period when the lockdown was eased 
in cross river state. Out of the 417-instrument distributed, only 393 instruments were 
returned. Representing 94.2 per cent return rate. this number was used for analy

develop based on the objective of the study. descriptive

such as frequency distribution. Percentages and graphical illustration were used to 

analyze the data collected from the field before the data was subjected to inferential 

statistics. Result was presented in Table 1. 

Table 2 
Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violence

Fiancé Husband 
alone 

Husband & 
Children 

parents or 
other 
family 

How did you spend 43 (10.9) 94 (23.9) 227 (57.8) 16 (4.1)

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

Fig. 1. 
Graphic illustration of Responses on how participants spent the lockdown

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 
 
 
 

Fiance, 43

Husband 
alone, 94

husband 
&Children, 

parents & 
family 

members, 16

Alone, 13

0 50 100 150 200 250

Fiance

husband &Children

Alone

How did you spendthe lockdown

Data collection was for two weeks, with the aid of five research assistant, who 
on the process of data collection. Data collected from the field was checked 

to make sure all the questions were attended to the data was then coded and analyzed 
using descriptive statistics; simple percentages, frequency distribution and graphical 

ation and simple lineal regression during the period when the lockdown was eased 
instrument distributed, only 393 instruments were 

returned. Representing 94.2 per cent return rate. this number was used for analysis. 

. descriptive statistics 

such as frequency distribution. Percentages and graphical illustration were used to 

analyze the data collected from the field before the data was subjected to inferential 

and intimate partner Violence 
parents or 
other 
family  

Alone 

(4.1) 13 (3.3) 

 

how participants spent the lockdown 

husband 
&Children, 227

250

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Responses on Covid
S/N Item 

2 How was the 
lockdown 
Source: Fieldwork, 2020

Graphic illustration of 

enjoyable

Relaxing

Frustrating

stressful

Worst period of my life

 
Table 3 

Responses on Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violence
enjoyable Relaxing Frustrating  stressful

49 (12.5) 78 (19.8) 92 (23.4) 102 
(26.0) 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

Fig. 2. 
Graphic illustration of Responses on How the lockdown 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

enjoyable
Relaxing

Frustrating
stressful

Worst period of my life

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

How was the lockdown
enjoyable 49

Relaxing 78

Frustrating 92

stressful 102

Worst period of my life 72

49

78

92

102

72

19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violence 
stressful The worst 

period of my life 
72(18.3) 

 

 was 

Worst period of my life

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Responses on Covid
S/N Item 

3 I and my hubby had issues 
during the lockdown

4 I suffer one form of 
from my partner during this 
period 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020

Graphic illustration of 

TRUE

Completely true

Not True

0
50

100
150
200
250

A
xi

s 
Ti

tl
e

 

 
Table 4 

Responses on Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violence
True Completely 

true 
I and my hubby had issues 

the lockdown 
196 (49.9) 161 (41.0) 

one form of abuse 
from my partner during this 

191 (48.6) 142 (36.1) 

Fieldwork, 2020 

Fig. 3. 
Graphic illustration of Responses on me and my hubby had issues&

my partner 
Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I and my hubby had issues 
during the lockdown

I suffer one form of abuse 
from my partner during 

this period

196 191

Completely true 161 142

36 60

196 191161 142

36 60

0
50

100
150
200
250

Axis Title

TRUE Completely true Not True

intimate partner Violence 
Not True 

36 (9.1) 

60 (15.3) 

 

&of abuse from 

I suffer one form of abuse 
from my partner during 

60

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Table 5 

Responses on Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violence 
S/N Item Emotional 

Abuse 
Physical 

abuse 
Both emotional 

&physical Abuse 
None 

5 Which of the abuse did your 
spouse put you through 

179 (45.5) 71 (18.1) 94 (23.9) 59 
(15.0) 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 
 

 

Fig. 4. 
Graphic illustration of Responses on Which of the abuse did your spouse put you 

through 
Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

179

71

94

59

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

Emotional 
Abuse

Physical 
abuse

Both 
emotional 
&physical 

Abuse

None

Which of the abuse did your spouse put you through

Which of the abuse did 
your spouse put you 
through

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Table 6 
Responses on Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violence 

S/N Item Once a 
week 

Twice 
a week 

Three 
times  

Five 
times 

everyday rarely Not 
abused 

6 How often are 
you abused in a 
week 

103 
(26.2) 

44 
(11.2) 

57 
(14.5) 

48 
(12.2) 

81 (20.6) 0 (0.0) 60 
(15.3) 

7 Before the 
Covid-19, how 
often were you 
abused  

97(24.7) 29 (7.7) 12 
(3.1) 

23 
(5.9) 

24 (6.1) 96 
(24.4) 

112 
(28.5) 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

 
 

 
 

Fig. 5. 
Graphic illustration of Responses on How often are you abused in a week 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Table 7 

once a 
week

twice a 
week

Three 
times 

Five 
times

everyd
ay

Rarely
Not 

Abuse

How often are you 
abused in a week

103 44 57 48 81 0 60

Before the Covid-19, how 
often were you abused 

97 29 12 23 24 96 112

103

44
57

48

81

0

60

97

29

12
23 24

96
112

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

How often are you abused in a week

Before the Covid-19, how often were you abused 

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Responses on Covid
S/N Item 

8 I blame the abuse on the economic 
difficulties as a result of 
lockdown 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020

Graphic illustration of 

 

Results of the descriptive analysis as presented in table 2 to 7, with graphic 
illustration in Figure sis as presented in table 2, With graphical illustration in figure 
shows participants responses as follows
participants reported with fiancé, 94 (23.9%) 
(57.8%) participants reported
with parents or other family members and 13 (3.3%) 
was the lockdown; 49 (12.5%) 
reported relaxing, 92 (23.4%) 
reported stressful and 72 (18.3%) 
asked I and my hubby had issues during the lockdown
true, 161 (41.0%) participants reported
not true. On I suffer one form of abuse from my
participants reported true, 142 (36.1%) 
(15.3%) participants reported
through; 179 (45.5%) participants reported
reported physical abuse, 94 (23.9%) 
abuse and 59 (15.0%) participants reported
week; 103 (26.2%) participants reported 

A
xi

s 
Ti

tl
e

I blame the abuse on the 
economic difficulties as a 

result of the lockdown

I blame the abuse on the economic difficulties as a 

Responses on Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violenc
True  Completely 

True 
I blame the abuse on the economic 
difficulties as a result of the 

145 (36.9) 163 (41.5) 

Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

Fig. 6. 
Graphic illustration of Responses on I blame the abuse on the economic difficulties 

as a result of the lockdown 
Source: Fieldwork, 2020 

the descriptive analysis as presented in table 2 to 7, with graphic 
sis as presented in table 2, With graphical illustration in figure 

shows participants responses as follows; on how did you spend the lockdown
with fiancé, 94 (23.9%) participants reported husband alone, 227 

participants reported with husband and children, 16 (4.1%) participants reported
with parents or other family members and 13 (3.3%) participants reported

49 (12.5%) participants reported enjoyable, 78 (19.8%) 
relaxing, 92 (23.4%) participants reported frustrating, 102 (26.0%) 
stressful and 72 (18.3%) participants reported worst period of their life.

I and my hubby had issues during the lockdown;196 (49.9%) participants reported
participants reported completely true, 36 (9.1%) participants reported 

I suffer one form of abuse from my partner during this period
true, 142 (36.1%) participants reported completely true, and 60 

participants reported not true. On Which of the abuse did your spouse put you 
participants reported emotional abuse, 71 (18.1%) 

physical abuse, 94 (23.9%) participants reported both physical and emotional 
participants reported none. On How often are you abused in a 

participants reported once a week, 44 (11.2%)  participants reported

0 100 200

TRUE

Not True

145
163

85

Axis Title

TRUE Completely true Not True

I blame the abuse on the 
economic difficulties as a 

result of the lockdown
145 163 85

I blame the abuse on the economic difficulties as a 
result of  the lockdown

19, Lockdown and intimate partner Violence 
Not true 

85 (21.6) 

 

I blame the abuse on the economic difficulties 

the descriptive analysis as presented in table 2 to 7, with graphic 
sis as presented in table 2, With graphical illustration in figure 1 to 6 

how did you spend the lockdown; 43 (10.9%) 
husband alone, 227 
participants reported 

participants reported alone. On How 
enjoyable, 78 (19.8%) participants 

frustrating, 102 (26.0%) participants 
worst period of their life. When 

participants reported 
participants reported 

partner during this period; 191 (48.6%) 
completely true, and 60 

Which of the abuse did your spouse put you 
emotional abuse, 71 (18.1%) participants 

both physical and emotional 
How often are you abused in a 

participants reported 

200

Not True

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twice a week, 57 (14.5%)  participants reported three times a week, 48 (12.2%)  
participants reported five times, 81 (20.6%)  participants reported every day and 60 
(15.3%)  participants reported not abuse. Onbefore the Covid-19, how often were you 
abused; 97(24.7%)participants reported ones a week, 29 (7.7)participants reported twice a 
week, 12 (3.1)participants reported three times a week, 23 (5.9)participants reported five 
times a week, 24 (6.1) participants reported every day, 96 (24.4 that they were rarely 
abused and finally, 112 (28.5) participants reported that they were never abused, On I 
blame the abuse on the economic difficulties as a result of the lockdown; 145 (36.9%) 
answered true, 163 (41.5%) answered completely true and 83 (21.6%) answered not true. 
 

Correlation Analysis  
A correlation analysis was carried out to check the relationship between Covid-

19, lockdown and intimate partner violence using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. 
The independent variable identified in the variables is Covid-19, lockdown, which was 
measured continuously. The dependent variable identified in the variables is intimate 
partner violence and this also was measured continuously. The analysis was done as 0.05 
confidence level.  

 
Table 8 

Pearson product moment correlation between Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate 
partner Violence 

Variable N Mean SD r-value Sig. R2 
Covid-19, Lockdown 393 12.21 2.02    
    0.649 .000* 0.42 
Intimate partner Violence 393 18.08 2.09    
*Significant at 0.05 level; df = 391; Critical r-value = 0.098 
Source: Field survey, 2020 

 
From the analysis, there was astatistically significant r(391) = 0.649; p <0.05. 

This is so because the calculated r-value of 0.649 is greater than the critical r-value of 
0.098, at 0.5 alpha (α) level of significance. Implying a positive correlation between 
Covid-19, Lockdown and intimate partner violence. the squared correlation (0.649)2 
which is a measure of effect size indicates the proportion of explained variance on the 
dependent variable. Therefore, 42.1 per cent of the variance in intimate partner violenceis 
as a result of Covid-19, Lockdown.  The magnitude of the effect is large, this means that 
Covid-19, Lockdowncorrelates positively with intimate partner violence (this is because 
of the sign of the r-value). Therefore, the result implies that Covid-19 lockdown has 
significantly increased the incidence of intimate partner violence. 

 

 

 

 

Discussion of Findings 

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From the result of the data collected from participants and analyzed, it was 
discovered that most of the participants 264 (67.2%) were married, 119 (30.3%) were in 
single but in a serious relationship and 10 (2.5%) were divorced or separated. Result also 
showed that most of the respondents 205 (52.2%) were aged 30-39, the was followed by 

79 (20.1%) respondents who were aged 20 – 29. Then followed by 40 (10.2%) who were 

aged 40 and above. Data analyzed also revealed in terms of educational qualification that 
most of the respondents 171 (43.5%) had a first degree. 124 (31.6%) respondents finished 
secondary school or college, 37 (9.4%) respondents had post-graduate degrees and 
finally, 63 (16.0%) participants had little or no formal education.   

The result from the descriptive analysis revealed that most of the respondents 321 
representing 81.7 per cent spend the lockdown with their immediate family (husband or 
husband and children). The result from the analysis also revealed that during the 
lockdown spent with their spouse, most respondents 357 representing 90.9 per cent and 

their husbands had problems issue. This is because the Coronavirus pandemic and the 
socioeconomic shock that accompanied it made the institution of marriage and family life 
very vulnerable creating tension and anxiety in relationship. Lehmiller, Garcia, 
Gesselman, and Mark (2020) in a study found that both sexual relation and family life is 
affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Findings also revealed that 334 respondents 
representing 85.0 per cent suffered from one form of abuse of the other. The most 
common form of abuse suffered by the participants is emotional abuse (45.5%), followed 
by physical abuse (23.9%) and only 15 per cent suffered both emotional abuse and 
physical abuse. Most respondent, 26.2 per cent reported been abused at least ones a 
week., 21.4 per cent, participants reported that they were abused at least twice a week. 
14.5 per cent at least three times a week, while 10.4 per cent reported that they were 
abuse every day. On the rate of abuse before the pandemic; most of the participants, 28.5 
per cent were never abused, 24.4 per cent, participants reported rarely been abused, 24.7 
per cent of the participants were abused at least ones a week.Only 6.1 per cent -reported 
that they were abused every day 

The result of the correlation analysis revealed that there was a statistically 
significant r (391) = 0.649 at 0.05 level of significance. This is because the calculated r-
value of 0.649 is greater than the critical r-value of 0.098. the result implies that Covid-
19, Lockdown significantly correlates with intimate partner violence. Also, 42.1 per cent 
of the variance in intimate partner violence is as a result of Covid-19, Lockdown.  The 
magnitude of the effect is large, this means that Covid-19, Lockdown significantly 
increase the incidence of intimate partner violence. the findingsare supported by the 
various reports and finding such as Allen -Ebrahimiam (2020), digital (2020), United 
Nation (2020b) and The Lagos State Domestic and Social Respond Team (2020). The 
study and reports all reported a sharp increase in intimate partner violence in Calabar and 
these are attributed to the Covid-19 lockdown. 

 

Conclusion and Policy Implication 

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With the quarantine and other measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-
19 and the continuous closure businesses and organisations likely to continue into the 
unforeseen future. Family strain, unemployment, reduced income and stress will continue 
to be an outcome of these measures, resulting in strain in couple relationships. This will 
as the findings of this study has shown continue to result in an increase in intimate 
partner and other domestic violence. Hence, there is need for the government to include 
Covid-19 essential services that will focus on intimate partner and other domestic 
violence response, provide the necessary resource that will make them function properly 
and identify ways to make them assessable. the government need to address those barriers 
impeding access to service including healthcare by sufferers, survivors of intimate partner 
violence by considering and removing those constraints hindering women from seeking 
help. 

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