The aim of the Cost of Covid-19 research was to create a step change in practice and policy in respect to meeting the economic safety needs of victim-survivors of domestic abuse.

To understand the economic safety needs arising from the pandemic, Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) undertook a rapid review. This consisted of a UK-wide survey and a series of interviews. A total of 560 people responded to the survey (360 victim-survivors and 200 front line professionals) between June and August. Of these, 73 took part in two rounds of follow-up interviews (summer and autumn of 2020).

The findings highlighted the many ways in which perpetrators of domestic abuse controlled the economic resources of a current or former partner during the initial months of the Covid-19 pandemic. This included restricting, exploiting and/or sabotaging education or employment; finances (including welfare benefits and child maintenance); daily necessities (including food and utilities); and housing and accommodation. These issues intersected in ways that shrank women’s space for action. (From the Executive summary). See also the 2-page fact sheet (#7189). Record #7194