Almost a quarter of surveyed women who gave birth at the Ottawa Hospital during last spring's COVID lockdown - that is between March and June 2020 - experienced controlling or abusive behaviour from their partners one year before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and one year after birth.
The data comes from a recent study that also found that low household income increased the chances of intimate partner violence.
Financial stress affects family stability, having enough food, and a sense of accomplishment. No healthy outlet for this stress means people become more controlling of their partner.
Controlling behaviours are often warning signs that can escalate to other forms of IPV.
Researchers encourage pregnant or post-partum women to tell people they trust if they are experiencing IPV. They also encourage health-care providers to ask their patients of IPV. Connecting pregnant women with social workers or community services could support families and prevent further violence.
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