DV LEAF: climate Justice for Survivors

Domestic violence spikes during climate disasters.

Why? Stress created by financial strain, loss of a home or job, can trigger feelings of powerlessness and a need for control, which are known precursors to violence.

In addition, resources for protection such as shelters or the courts may be unavailable or destroyed, leaving the most vulnerable behind.

Through our DV LEAF initiative, we address the intersection of domestic violence and the climate crisis by advocating for inclusion of survivors' voices in policy planning, and planting trees to honor survivors and mend the earth.
DV leaf Earth Day Campaign 2022

the Intersection of domestic violence
and climate change

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.

Climate Change & DV Organizations

Click here to read a selection of documents from domestic violence coalitions in states that experience the most severe climate events and stressors.

Indigenous Peoples' Communities

Click here to read a selection of research that highlights the impact of climate change on domestic violence in Indigenous communities.

In the News: Survivors & Climate Change

Click here to read a selection of news stories that amplify the voices of survivors of domestic violence impacted by climate change.

Two little hands holding dirt and from the dirt a small plant is blooming.

Climate Change & Vulnerable Communities

Click here to read a selection research that explores the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities including domestic violence survivors.

Women as Environmental Refugees

Click here to read a selection of research that explores what the future looks like for vulnerable communities in the aftermath of climate change.

DV LEAF Earth Day Panel 2021

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.

DV LEAP submits input to the un report on violence against women in the context of the climate crisis

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.

DV LEAP Letter to WHITE HOUSE GENDER POLICY COUNCIL

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.

DV LEAP Letter to the biden-harris administration

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.

DV LEAP Letter to Washington DC Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency

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.


Heal With Us

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.

DV LEAF
Honorees

  • 2020 Honorees
    Jennifer Broome
    Nancy Sue Wood
    Barbara Blades
    Kent Crago
    Julie & Michael Henszey
    David O'Keeffe & Mary Callaghan
    Heather O'Keeffe
    Arianna De Reus
    Sallie De Reus
    Taylor Heatherly
    Nancy Churik Lewis
    Lily Overton
    Christina Marshall
    Blaire Kotsikopoulos
    Sara Pikofsky
    Ava Baker
    Ritu Cooper
    Kerri Ruttenberg
    Denise Chisolm
    Rebecca Kjos
    Wendy Blount
    Malisa Brown
    Kara Mann
    In Memory of Barbara Myers Campbell
    Lydia Spencer
    Candy Fleece
    Krista Vernoff
    Kristine Blumensaadt
    Karen Katulka
    Lee Ann De Reus
    Dorothy Crago
    Ann Robinson
    Kim Bearden
    Elise Mullins
    In Memory of Deena Kaplan
    In Memory of Billie Seeman
    Mery Seeman-Sokal
    Charlotte Mullins
    Lisa Fetchko
    Betsy Fetchko
    Polly Chamberlain
    Tami Hinish
    Abigail Spencer
    Emily Osgood
    Elizabeth Swize
    Evelyn Becker
    Sherri Hahn
    Eunice Drobnick
    Lisa
    Christina
    Katherine
    Mike
    Adriana
    Jean F. Rizzo
    Patty Rizzo
    Kamy English
    Carolyn Olvera
    Smaranda Padeanu
    Rita Mellon
    Lisa Kaufman
    Nitza Hartung
    Odelya Kaufman
    Anne Kaufman
    Lee-Anna Caccioppo
    In Memory of Sharon Hanley-Decoste
    In Memory of David Geoffrey Decoste
    In Memory of Michael David Decoste
    In Memory of Robert G. Dickie
    In Memory of Ann Cory
    Susan Levine
    Paula Levine
    Barbara Aschheim
    Nancy Paul
    Lisa Levine
    Claudia Perez
    Cecily Burke
    Isabel Albisu
    Dionne Sparkman
    Roberta Rothman
    Jackie Kane
    Sherri Becker
    Glenda Bensussen
    Chris Friedman
    In Honor of Elaine Eines
    In Memory of Flora Kaufman
  • Alona Magidova
    Arlene Prater
    Asli Carome
    Ava Jason
    Beth Faber Jacobs
    Betsy Dinger
    Caroline Christen
    Carolyn and Jack Sparks
    Cynthia Wakeman
    Dottie Carpenter
    Elisabeth Sochacki
    Grace Moore
    Greer Knopf
    Greta Lander
    Hillary Messenger
    In Honor of the Working Mothers at Arnold & Porter
    Jahn Geddes
    Penny Robiner
    Jeanne Hardy
    Sonia Lander
    Jennifer Cave
    Susan Boyle
    Joonhee Kang
    Suzanne Dinger
    Karen Jodoin
    Karen W. Jason
    Kathleen McCarthy
    Kim Forrester
    Kristen Smith
    Laura Sochacki
    Lindsey Kleyn
    LuAnn Bowes
    Mary Jane Bowes
    Mary Kleyn
    Monica Kim
    Nadira Clarke
    Nancy Greenberg
    Alice Dinger
    Heidi Rafferty
    Jenine Filipelli-Vosburgh
    2021 Honorees
    In Memory of Nora Seavers
    Debbie Heim
    Reid Christen
    Susan Acton
    Cara Wilking
    Odelya Kaufman
    Lisa Kaufman
    Nitza Hartung
    Lulu Delgado
    Maddox Delgado
    Isaiah Delgado
    Aimee Delgado
    Lizzy Vogel
    Christian Delgado
    Lisa Dee Port White
    Susan Q. Port
    Dina Roth Port
    Smaranda Padeanu
    Rita Mellon
    Sorcha Mellon
    Allison Luzwick
    Sofia Rivera
    Nancy Sue Wood
    Kamy English
    Patty Rizzo
    Nicky Patel
    In Memory of Marguerite Conrad
    Bita Hadjimichael
    In Memory of Martin Moran
    Lori Talagala
    Sonia Prelat
    In Memory of Michele Quiles
    In Memory of Angelina Quiles
    Kathleen Hammond
    Kathleen O'Brien
    Mae Buckley
    Judy McCall
    Elizabeth Swize
    Denise Chisolm
    Angela Lesnak
    Lisa Furby
    Ritu Cooper
    Sara Pikofsky
    Sallie De Reus
    Lee Ann De Reus
    Megan Simpson
    Lucy Gorgo Trongone
    Paula Brown
    Gloria Sabater
    Carol Lowry Pate
    Jennifer Pedri
    Denise Foster
    Amy Goldman
    Rita Sirota
    Barbara Blades
    In Memory of Menya Sirota
    Jean Rizzo
    In Memory of Rose Rizzo
    In Memory of Kathryn Foley
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