With a winter storm approaching and we brace for the extreme cold, we need to consider how winter storms and natural disasters amplify domestic violence and human trafficking.
When extreme weather strikes, the physical destruction is immediate and clearly visible. At Mosaic, we know this firsthand from the impact of the 2021 Winter Storm Uri, which caused devastating damage to Mosaic House. But beyond the physical and structural damage lies often overlooked harm to domestic violence and human trafficking survivors.
Although natural disasters and winter storms don’t outright cause violence, they do exacerbate conditions that make violence in the home or exploitation more likely to occur. That’s because disasters destabilize everyday life, disrupt support systems, and increase financial stress, among many other factors. These stressors worsen risks for harm, particularly for people who are already experiencing violence or vulnerabilities that increase their likelihood of experiencing domestic violence or human trafficking.
According to a large systematic review of research on natural disasters and gender-based violence by the National Institute of Health, most studies found increases in physical and sexual violence following extreme events.
In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri hit Texas, causing widespread outages and catastrophic damage across the state, and the chaos from the storm continued even after the ice melted. At Mosaic, we felt that damage very closely. The storm caused flooding at Mosaic House, and burst pipes led to a gas leak that forced us to relocate shelter residents for over four months.
In the aftermath of the storm, a national organization, FreeFrom, surveyed domestic violence survivors reaching out for help, and found that 1 in 4 people said the abuse began or worsened during the storm, and 90% of survivors said the storm caused unexpected expenses. This data demonstrates that the impact of natural disasters on gender-based violence is not isolated to individual circumstances but is part of a bigger pattern.
While we do our best to stay warm this weekend, we need to remember that the impact of a winter storm extends beyond the icy roads and empty grocery shelves. For many survivors, this storm will mean increased isolation and heightened danger in their home.
As you prepare, check on your neighbors, share resources, and support organizations working on the front lines. Keeping our community safe during a storm is more than staying warm and having enough supplies; it’s about making sure everyone stays protected when they need it most.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or human trafficking, our helpline will remain open during the storm. Call our 24/7 hotline at 214-823-4434 for help.
