An Increase in Instances of Domestic Violence: Yale Climate Connections

Transcript:

Intense storms, floods, and landslides are increasingly common as the climate warms.

And these disasters are associated with higher levels of domestic violence against women – even long after the weather event is over.

In a recent study, Jenevieve Mannell of University College London and her team analyzed data about the prevalence of intimate partner violence in 156 countries.

They compared it with data about weather disasters in each country.

Mannell: “Our analysis shows that there’s an increase in intimate partner violence two years after a disaster, and that this is correlated with certain types of disasters – specifically storms, landslides, and floods.”

Her research did not analyze the reasons for the increase. But other studies suggest that disasters can magnify many risk factors for domestic violence.

For example, extreme weather events may contribute to food insecurity.

Mannell: “This can create stress in households in ways that can lead to the use of violence within the household.”

And the upheaval caused by a disaster can contribute to substance abuse, which also increases the risk.

So Mannell says responding to climate change should include making plans to protect women’s safety.

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media