There are particular risks for women in a disaster situation, they may be:
- Prevented from evacuating due to domestic and family violence
- Blocked from accessing survival essentials: transport, water, heat, finances, emergency plans, support services or important documents
- Brought back in contact with a violent ex-partner in the chaos of the disaster, for example at a relief or recovery centre
- Forced to take unnecessary risks with personal safety
- Forced to exchange sex for necessities like food water or shelter
- Impacted by the challenges of enforcing intervention orders in a disaster-affected environment
- Threatened by the return of someone who has been violent in the past, as they take advantage of vulnerabilities resulting from the disaster, or even take grant money
- Dependent on a partner who is away from the home and controls the family’s emergency plan
- Impacted by the limitations and pressures created by sudden homelessness that may be brought on by the disaster
Source: Violence in times of disaster
If you are a woman experiencing family violence, you are at greater risk during fires and other emergencies and you need to have a plan.
If you know someone who is experiencing family violence, they are at greater risk during fires and other emergencies. You can help them with their emergency planning.
Some of the things that need to be considered as part of an emergency plan:
- Having a radio or access to the internet to get information about local conditions
- Access to transport
- Somewhere to go
Useful links
Help for women
If you are a woman experiencing family violence, you can contact family violence support services for help to develop a safety plan that includes a fire and other emergencies plan.
Centre for Non Violence
Support and referral for women and children experiencing family violence. Call 1800 884 038 or visit Centre for Non Violence
safe steps Family Violence Response Centre
Telephone counselling and referrals. Call 1800 015 188 (24 hours) or visit safe steps Family Violence Response
1800 RESPECT
Sexual assault and family violence counselling service. Call 1800 737 732 (24 hours) or visit 1800 Respect
Help for children and young people
Kids Helpline, up to 25 years
Telephone counselling for any reason. Call 1800 55 1800 (24 hours) or visit Kids Helpline
Help for men
Men’s Referral Service
Men’s family violence telephone counselling, information and referral service. Call 1300 766 491 or visit No to Violence (Men's Referral Service website)