Natural disasters bring much chaos to people’s lives including loss of homes, pets, belongings, lives and livelihoods. They are hard to come back from for anyone especially those caught in the middle of it. The recent floods across NSW and Southern Queensland have left people with an abundance of clean up projects ahead of them. Natural disasters can cause social, economic, physical and financial pressures which according to research results in an increased rate of domestic violence.

This unspoken outcome is one that needs to be addressed particularly given the fact that climate change is bringing with it more natural disasters. Research also shows that women and children are most affected and are least likely to report an incident during a disaster for reasons of guilt and shame. Males meantime, are prone to using stressful situations as an excuse for violence. Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence can call Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

Image: Image Shutterstock – Dustie

Produced By: Melanie Scott

Featured In Story: Elise Phillips – CEO Domestic Violence NSW, Jacqui Watt – CEO of No to Violence, and Kim Usher – Professor of Nursing – School of Health at New England University

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 15 March 2022