Each natural disaster is a reminder that victim service programs should be prepared, especially since they are becoming more common. This has led to domestic violence survivors and providers facing increased difficulties as they navigate crisis or emergency situations. During the course of a disaster, survivors often become more exposed and underprotected from different forms of abuse. They may face added physical harm, displacement, and limited access to safety resources because of these events. Natural disasters create complex challenges for local victim service providers, making access to or continuity of services difficult. This is often due to compromised infrastructure, damaged communication systems, or shelters being made inaccessible because of damaged roads and local infrastructure.

In order to help victim service providers navigate these situations, this resource was developed jointly by the following people and organizations:

Naomi Meyer, Dea Angeles Quiroz, and Alex Worsham, of the University of Washington
The Safety Net Project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence
The National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals (NRCC)