Violence against women in times of SARS-CoV2 pandemic in São Paulo

Abstract

Introduction: Violence against women is a relevant global public health concern, with high impacts on both the physical and the mental settings of the victim’s health. With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, women who live in abusive relationship find themselves isolated with their agressor in a risky environment to the maintenance of such abuses. Objectives: To analyze the data on violence against women avaliable in the state of São Paulo’s public database from March to May of both 2019 and 2020, in order to clarify whether there was an increase in the number of charges pressed during the social distancing period in the state. Methods: Quantitative, descriptive and analytical research, carried out in the database of the São Paulo State Public Security Secretariat website. Results: An increase was observed in the categories of violence for other crimes against sexual dignity and illegal constraint. Categories such as threat, intentional bodily injury, slander, defamation and injury, consummate rape and mistreatment showed a significant drop in occurrences. Wrongful death cases remained unchanged from the same period in 2019. Conclusion: There was a noticeable decrease in the notifications of violence against women in the state. However, underreporting, the difficulty to access public transport and the lack of community support for women in situations of violence are points to be taken, especially in the context of a pandemic. Additionally, more studies are needed to further investigate this topic.