"Isolering är våldsutövarens bästa vän" : En kvalitativ studie om socialtjänstens och kvinnojourens arbete med våldsutsatta kvinnor under Covid-19 pandemin

Sammanfattning: This essay aims to investigate how Covid-19 affected the social services and women's shelter's work with abused women. Research is based on staff's experiences of whether the pandemic has made it more difficult for abused women to seek help and receive support. Furthermore, any opportunities and challenges digital services have brought to organizations work during pandemic are also analyzed. Survey was conducted with a qualitative research method consisting of semi-structured interviews with seven participants. Participants work at social services, women's shelter and sheltered housing. All participants were from different cities in Sweden. Theories used are the intersectional perspective and empowerment. Results show that organizations had to expand their working methods. Strategies have been applied to reach the victims, including digital alternatives. Digital services have created opportunities for women to participate, at the same time been a threat for women to have conversations at home when isolated with the perpetrator. Participants have emphasized the importance of physical meetings, but there have been limitations due to restrictions. Increased isolation is described as an obstacle to seek help and receive support. Conclusion of the study was that there is limited research regarding vulnerable groups and how organizations have been affected during the pandemic.