ABSTRACT
In the aftermath of all disasters, family violence typically increases in both prevalence and incidence. In that regard, health emergencies are no different. However, as found during the coronavirus pandemic, some of the public health responses required to manage this global health emergency inadvertently yet predictably increased the risks of family violence – exacerbating violence in pre-existing abusive relationships and triggering it where it has never occurred. In this chapter, we look at family violence during lockdown in Melbourne, Australia; possible causes; and responses, innovative practices and prevention strategies for social work practitioners to use in improving family violence safety.
