Summary: Natural disasters create intense stress and disruption for affected communities. Past research indicates that incidents and severity of domestic violence often rise after such events. Researchers at the University of Missouri have proposed a practical framework to support and protect victims of intimate partner violence before, during, and after disasters.
Source: University of Missouri Columbia.
When hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or other disasters strike, the entire community suffers—but not everyone is affected in the same way. People already experiencing domestic violence are especially vulnerable. Scholars at the University of Missouri have developed a framework that integrates domestic violence services into disaster planning and response to help protect survivors and promote long-term recovery.
“Disasters inflict emotional trauma, disrupt basic needs such as food, water and housing, and can injure or kill people,” said J. Brian Houston, associate professor of communication and director of the Disaster and Community Crisis Center (DCC) at MU. “Research consistently shows that the prevalence and severity of domestic violence often increase after disasters. These events can compound the challenges women and families face while trying to recover.”
To translate research into action, Houston collaborated with Jennifer First, a doctoral candidate in the MU School of Social Work and Disaster Mental Health Program Manager with DCC, and Nathan First, a clinical instructor in the Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology and clinical case manager at the Family Access Center of Excellence of Boone County. Together they created a set of objectives framed around the four common disaster phases used by emergency managers: response, recovery, mitigation and preparedness.
“Integrating domestic violence services into disaster-related assistance is essential to promote survivors’ safety and well-being,” Jennifer First said. “Using the response–recovery–mitigation–preparedness model helps identify concrete actions that domestic violence professionals and disaster responders can take before, during and after an event.”
Response
During immediate disaster response, first responders, shelter staff and relief agencies can take steps to empower survivors and protect children. Priorities include ensuring basic needs—temporary shelter, food, clean water and medical care—are met, while also providing discreet information about safe shelters and domestic violence contacts. Coordinated transport to safe housing, clear signage about available services, and trauma-informed support at relief sites can reduce isolation and increase access to protection.
Recovery
The recovery phase is a pivotal moment for survivors. As communities rebuild, long-term services must be available and accessible. Case managers, social workers and community organizations can connect survivors to counseling, legal assistance, housing support and employment resources. Rebuilding efforts should intentionally include pathways to sustained social support and mental health resources for women and families affected by intimate partner violence.
Mitigation
Mitigation seeks to reduce risk before a disaster occurs. For domestic violence, this means building formal connections between domestic violence organizations and systems commonly activated in disasters—such as emergency management agencies, law enforcement and public health departments. Establishing these relationships before an event enables coordinated planning, shared protocols, and advocacy to ensure domestic violence considerations are part of broader hazard-reduction strategies.
Preparedness
Preparedness activities equip communities to respond more effectively when disasters strike. Domestic violence professionals can take part in joint training, create survivor-focused emergency plans, and develop communication materials tailored to people in abusive relationships. Training emergency management personnel to recognize signs of intimate partner violence and to provide appropriate referrals can ensure responders act safely and sensitively when encountering survivors in crisis.
The Disaster and Community Crisis Center (DCC) at MU focuses on boosting preparedness, recovery and resilience for children, families, schools and communities facing disasters and community crises. DCC brings together experts from mental and behavioral health, social work, public health, communication, mass media, social media and journalism to develop research-informed practices and to train responders across disciplines. The Department of Communication is located in the College of Arts and Science at MU.
Funding: The work was supported by the Disaster and Community Crisis Center (DCC) at the University of Missouri.
Source: Sheena Rice, University of Missouri Columbia
Original research: “Intimate Partner Violence and Disasters: A Framework for Empowering Women Experiencing Violence in Disaster Settings” by Jennifer M. First, Nathan L. First, and J. Brian Houston. Published online May 1, 2017 in Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work. DOI: 10.1177/0886109917706338.
University of Missouri Columbia. “Addressing Domestic Violence Should Be Part of Recovery Plans During Natural Disasters.” NeuroscienceNews. September 1, 2017.
Abstract
Intimate Partner Violence and Disasters: A Framework for Empowering Women Experiencing Violence in Disaster Settings
Disasters—natural or human-caused—create intense stressors for individuals, families and communities. Research documents increases in both the prevalence and severity of violence against women following disaster events. This article reviews existing evidence and presents a practical framework for professionals working with intimate partner violence survivors. The framework identifies objectives that promote awareness and response capacity, encourage safety planning, ensure basic needs are met, provide comfort and support, connect survivors to long-term services, and foster psychosocial recovery before, during and after disasters.