Women and Girls’ Engagement with Digital Intimate Partner Violence Support Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic: A Systematic Review and Theoretical Synthesis

Purpose: To synthesise evidence on perceived barriers and facilitators of engagement with digital intimate partner violence (IPV) support. The review focused on women and girls (15+) across high income settings in North America, Europe and Australasia during and after the COVID 19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies indexed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO (April 2025), followed by a theory informed synthesis using behavioural science frameworks. Findings were translated into practice oriented strategies using established intervention design and acceptability criteria.Results: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Engagement with digital IPV support was shaped primarily by three behavioural domains: Environmental Context and Resources, Emotion, and Beliefs about Consequences. Engagement was constrained when technological access was fragile or surveilled (Theme 1), home environments were unsafe or shared (Theme 2), emotional distress restricted digital interaction (Theme 3), survivors anticipated surveillance, escalation of harm or inadequate care (Theme 4), or doubted the usefulness of digital platforms (Theme 5). Disengagement therefore often reflected active safety management rather than lack of motivation to seek help. These determinants were translated into theory informed recommendations prioritising practical support, safety by design, and flexible service features that make engagement possible even when access is constrained, unsafe, or frequently interrupted.Conclusions: Engagement with digital IPV support is shaped by behavioural, emotional and contextual determinants, such that withdrawal or partial engagement often represents safety driven decision making. Behaviourally informed, trauma responsive digital services embedded within hybrid care ecosystems are therefore critical to supporting safe and sustained engagement.