Violence against women in disasters : A study of domestic violence programs in the United States and Canada

ABSTRACT

While data are limited, field reports indicate that reported violence against women increases in communities hit by environmental disasters. Seventy-seven Canadian and U.S. domestic violence program participated in a study of organizational readiness, impact and response employing mail survey and open-ended telephone interviewing. Low level of in-house emergency preparedness were found, but also strong interest in increasing disaster readiness. those program most severely impacted by disasters reported service demands, as long as one year after the event and decreased organizational resources. Strategies are suggested for more fully engaging women's services in community-based disaster mitigation, planning and response (AU)