COVID-19 and the needs of the domestic violence and abuse sector ('CANVAS'): a policy report

During the coronavirus response period, and indeed before it, the domestic violence and abuse (DVA) sector operated in ways comparable to an ‘emergency service’. However, the sector has seen funding cuts since 2010, resulting in an stretched workforce. Limitations in existing resource made coping with the challenges of coronavirus exceptionally difficult as, even with emergency funds, services had limited capacity to scale up their response.

This report describes the pressures faced by DVA organizations early in the pandemic, strategies developed by the sector, and concerns about resourcing moving forward. It outlines the strengths of the sector, which have enabled services to continue supporting survivors despite barriers during COVID-19, and pre-existing it. It makes recommendations for urgent action to enable the sector to continue delivering life-saving work, and suggestions for further research to aid in the development of a longer-term recovery plan.