Domestic Violence in the Netherlands During the First 15 Weeks of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns sparked global concerns about increased domestic violence and child abuse. Initial anxieties were based on anecdotal evidence and studies of natural disasters' impact on violence. However, empirical research on the pandemic's effects has begun to emerge, providing quantitative data on domestic violence levels. This study contributes to this growing body of research by comparing domestic violence levels and characteristics in a major Dutch city before and during the first 15 weeks of the pandemic. The study aims to address three research questions: 1) Did the pandemic affect domestic violence levels? 2) Did the pandemic alter the nature and characteristics of domestic violence? 3) How did the pandemic affect minor involvement in domestic violence? The study's unique contribution lies in utilizing pre-pandemic baseline data collected using the same methodology as the pandemic data, providing a robust comparison. This allows for a detailed assessment of the pandemic's impact on domestic violence in the Netherlands, contrasting with the mixed findings from international studies. Understanding this specific national context and comparison to global trends is crucial for developing effective policy responses to the complex interplay between public health crises and domestic violence.

Existing research demonstrates a correlation between natural disasters and increased domestic violence, citing mechanisms such as personal threats, social disruption, stress, and psychological distress. However, the quality of this research varies widely, with many studies lacking reliable quantitative data or pre-disaster comparison points. Studies on the link between the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic violence show mixed results, with some reporting increases in reports or emergency calls, while others demonstrate no significant change or even a decrease. In particular, some research points to a decrease in juvenile arrests for domestic violence during school closures, which isolated children with potential perpetrators. These conflicting findings highlight the need for further investigation, considering the unique contextual factors of each setting and the limitations of different methodologies. Data from the Netherlands before the pandemic is also presented, highlighting the prevalence of domestic violence and existing support systems. This establishes a strong baseline for analyzing the impact of COVID-19-related restrictions.

The study utilizes data from the ZSM (as soon as possible) system of the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, which handles frequently occurring criminal cases, including a large portion of domestic violence incidents, via out-of-court settlements. Data were gathered on daily incidents of domestic violence from August 16 to November 30, 2019 (pre-pandemic) and March 16 to June 30, 2020 (pandemic). A three-and-a-half-month gap exists between the two datasets due to limitations imposed by COVID-19 restrictions on data collection. The study adheres to the Dutch public prosecution service's definition of domestic violence, encompassing violence committed by individuals within the victim's domestic circle. Data collected for each incident include the type of violence, location, reciprocity, injuries, suspect and victim characteristics (gender, age, relationship), and involvement of minors. A total of 434 incidents were analyzed (206 pre-pandemic and 228 during the pandemic). Statistical analyses were used to compare various aspects of domestic violence incidents between the two periods. The study was approved by relevant ethical review boards.

Analysis revealed no significant difference in the weekly number of domestic violence incidents reported to the police during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. There was also no difference in the type of violence (physical, psychological, property damage) between the two periods. The severity of violence, as measured by victim injuries, also showed no significant difference. However, some notable differences emerged. Reciprocal violence was significantly less common during the pandemic, and the location of incidents shifted towards the homes of suspects and victims more frequently during the pandemic period. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in who reported the incidents: witnesses more often reported during the pandemic. The characteristics of suspects and victims, including their relationship, remained largely consistent between the periods, except for a higher percentage of male suspects during the pandemic. Minor involvement in domestic violence incidents increased from 34% in the pre-pandemic period to 43% during the pandemic; this difference was not statistically significant, (p=.07). The most frequent role for minors was as a witness to violence between parents. The handling of cases by the public prosecutor and court showed no significant difference between the two periods, although there was a shift in the types of settlements offered by the prosecutor during the pandemic.

The study's findings contradict the concerns and observations from several other countries, where an increase in domestic violence during the initial stages of the pandemic was noted. The absence of a significant increase in reported incidents in the Netherlands suggests that factors mitigating the effects of lockdown may be at play. Potential factors may include existing support systems, cultural norms, and reporting behaviors. The shift in reporting patterns, with a higher proportion of reports coming from witnesses during the pandemic, suggests that increased awareness or observation due to lockdown may have contributed to the data. It is important to note the limitations of the study and potential biases. The study acknowledges the absence of a true control group unaffected by lockdown measures, the gap between data collection periods, and the reliance on official police reports. While the study's design strengthens the comparative analysis of pre- and during pandemic reports, it would be important to explore the potential effect of a seasonal effect which could lead to the similarities that we observed during pre- and pandemic period.

This study provides valuable insights into the short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on domestic violence in the Netherlands. The lack of a significant increase in reported incidents contradicts findings from some other countries, suggesting the importance of considering local contexts and pre-existing factors. The study highlights the need for continued monitoring of domestic violence levels and patterns to better understand the long-term effects of the pandemic and inform effective policy responses. Future research should focus on collecting data that covers the entire pandemic period and that allows for more sophisticated analyses which considers seasonal effects. Further research investigating potential mitigating factors and exploring the experiences of vulnerable groups is also recommended.

The study's primary limitations stem from its reliance on official police reports and the ZSM system, which may not capture the full extent of domestic violence. The data might not accurately represent the experiences of all demographic groups, particularly vulnerable populations. The three-and-a-half-month gap between data collection periods and the absence of a control group limit causal inferences. The study focused only on the first 15 weeks of the pandemic, preventing conclusions on the long-term impact. The potential influence of seasonal effects on domestic violence reporting was also considered a limiting factor.