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Violence against women in disasters: a study of domestic violence programs in the US and Canada.

Author:

Enarson, E.

Date:

1999

Language:

English

Region:

North America

Country:

Canada

Full Harvard Reference:

Enarson, E. (1999). Violence against women in disasters: a study of domestic violence programs in the US and Canada. Violence Against Women 5 (7): pp.742-768

Although 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 programs participated in a study of organizational readiness, impact, and response employing a mail survey and open-ended telephone interviewing. Low levels of in-house emergency preparedness were found, but also strong interest in increasing disaster readiness. Those programs most severely impacted by disasters reported increased service demands, as long as 1 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.

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