Examining organization and provider challenges with the adoption of virtual domestic violence and sexual assault interventions in Alberta, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic Stephanie Montesanti, Winta Ghidei, Peter Silverstone, Lana Wells, Suzanne Squires and Allan Bailey
By: Montesanti, Stephanie
.
Contributor(s): Ghidei, Winta
| Silverstone, Peter
| Wells, Lana
| Squires, Suzanne
| Bailey, Allan
.
Material type: 











Item type | Current location | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Family Violence library | Online | Available | ON22070013 |
Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 2022, 27(3): 169-179
Objectives: In Canada, calls to domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as stricter public health restrictions took effect in parts of the country. Moreover, the public health measures introduced to limit the transmission of COVID-19 saw many health providers abruptly pivot to providing services virtually, with little to no opportunity to plan for this switch. We carried out a qualitative research study to understand the resulting challenges experienced by providers of domestic violence and sexual assault support services.
Methods: Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather in-depth information from service providers and organizational leaders in the Canadian province of Alberta about the challenges they experienced adopting virtual and remote-based domestic violence and sexual assault interventions during the COVID-19 outbreak. Interview transcripts and field notes were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.
Results: Our findings highlighted multiple challenges organizations, service providers and clients experienced. These included: (1) systemic (macro-level) challenges pertaining to policies, legislation and funding availability, (2) organization and provider (meso-level) challenges related to adapting services and programmes online or for remote delivery and (3) provider perceptions of client (micro-level) challenges related to accessing virtual interventions.
Conclusions: Equity-focused policy and intersectional and systemic action are needed to enhance delivery and access to virtual interventions and services for domestic violence and sexual assault clients. (Authors' abstract). Record #7704