DP17254 59. Dynamic impacts of lockdown on domestic violence: Evidence from multiple policy shifts in Chile

• Sonia Bhalotra Damian Clarke Pilar Larroulet Francisco J. Pino
26 Apr 2022

We leverage staggered implementation of lockdown across Chile’s 346 municipalities,
identifying dynamic impacts on domestic violence (DV). Using administrative data, we
find lockdown imposition increases indicators of DV-related distress, while decreasing DV
reports to the police. We identify male job loss as a mechanism driving distress, and
female job loss as driving decreased reporting. Stimulus payments to poor households
act on both margins, their impacts partially differentiated by lockdown status. Once
lockdown is lifted, police reports surge but we see a ratchet effect in distress. Our findings
accentuate the controversy around welfare impacts of lockdown mandates.