Exploring how mothers with a history of intimate partner violence experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada

In Canada, approximately 44% of women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. Given that the majority of women who face IPV are within childbearing years, IPV often co-occurs with being a mother. While research exists on mothering and IPV, a gap in the literature exists with respect to how mothers with histories of IPV experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study addressed this gap using an interpretive description approach underpinned by intersectionality and informed by Ford-Gilboe’s strengthening capacity to limit intrusion theory. Twelve, semi-structured virtual interviews were completed with mothers that had experienced IPV greater than 6 months prior to study enrollment. Mothers described experiencing structural violence during the pandemic, impacting their financial stability, access to affordable housing, and access to legal/community supports. Mothers also described the negative impact of the pandemic on their mental health, their difficulty accessing counselling services, and the challenges associated with managing an increased workload. Despite these experiences, many mothers described how their relationship with their child strengthened. Implications of this study include the need for policy changes to address the structural violence experienced by mothers with a history of IPV in the aftermath of the pandemic.