Vulnerable populations are more susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change. Climate stressors and events exacerbate threats to health, shelter, water, food, economic security, and safety from violence.
Below are examples of research exploring the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. More empirical studies are needed to understand the link between domestic violence and climate change.
Click here to read a selection of documents from domestic violence coalitions in states that experience the most severe climate events and stressors.
Click here to read a selection of research that highlights the impact of climate change on domestic violence in Indigenous communities.
Click here to read a selection of news stories that amplify the voices of survivors of domestic violence impacted by climate change.
Click here to read a selection research that explores the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities including domestic violence survivors.
Click here to read a selection of research that explores what the future looks like for vulnerable communities in the aftermath of climate change.
Click here to view our 2021 Earth Day panel that included experts and activists from Anacostia to Alaska to discusses how climate change impacts domestic violence.
On March 31, 2022 DV LEAP submitted input to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women for an upcoming UN report on violence against women in the context of the climate crisis.
Our submission focuses on the intersection of domestic violence and climate change in the U.S., and how extreme weather and other climate changed-related stressors further imperil survivors' health and safety.
Click here to read the letter.
On September 30, 2021 DV LEAP sent a letter Rosie Hidalgo, the Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence and
Special Assistant to the President, White House Gender Policy Council and Caroline Bettinger-López, the Special Advisor,
White House Gender Policy Council to request that the U.S. National Action Plan to end gender-based violence
acknowledge the impact of climate change on gender-based violence/domestic violence and integrate actions to reduce it.
Click here to read the letter.
On December 23, 2020 DV LEAP sent a letter to the new Biden-Harris administration asking them to release a statement acknowledging the impact climate change has on domestic violence; and catalogue and expand existing data and policy interventions addressing climate change and domestic violence.
Click here to read the letter.
On December 7, 2020 DV LEAP sent a letter to the Washington DC Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency asking them to issue a statement acknowledging the impact climate change has on domestic violence. Specifically, how this will effect the District and it's population. We are asking them to collaborate with DV LEAP to be a champion for survivors. Click here to read the letter. We additionally sent a similar letter on September 10, 2020, click here to read the letter.
Leo Santana, a student attorney in the UDC Legislation Clinic, represented DV LEAP and provided testimony at the Climate Change Resiliency meeting in 2020. His testimony can be read here.
Current laws and policies in most jurisdictions address domestic violence and climate change. Few laws or policies, however, recognize the intersection of these two issues. Even fewer empower survivors to be involved in the process of addressing this growing reality. Click here to read a document that provides an overview of opportunities to develop thoughtful law and policy in the District that addresses this intersection moving forward.
On April 22, 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, DV LEAP launched the DV LEAF Healing Project.
Participants were able to honor a loved one and plant a tree in her/his honor.