Planning for Domestic/Family Violence increases after a Natural Disaster/Emergency
Tracks
Ballroom 2
| Wednesday, November 29, 2023 |
| 9:20 AM - 9:40 AM |
Overview
Andrew Williams, Charles Sturt University
Speaker
Mr Andrew Williams
Professional Doctorate Candidate
Charles Sturt University
Planning for Domestic/Family Violence increases after a Natural Disaster/Emergency
Abstract
The presentation will examine and discuss two key areas of the emergency management sector's approach to dealing with DFV during and after a natural disaster and local emergencies.
The two areas that will be examined are those relating to pets in emergencies and planning for DFV during and after natural disasters and local emergencies.
The presentation will discuss planning for pets and companion animals. The data strongly supports that some people will not leave a violent relationship due to violence, threats of violence and safety concerns for pets within a relationship.
Given that some emergency management planning already plans for pet support, this may create an opportunity for a person subjected to existing DFV to reduce this factor in seeking support for survivors.
We know that an emergency may provide an opportunity where a survivor and their pets may be separated from the perpetrator due to the emergency. This may provide an opportunity for help and support to be provided.
For the second component, the presentation will examine the three types of Domestic/Family Violence (DFV) groups identifiable during and after a natural disaster or local emergency.
The groups:
1.Those who return to a violent household or relationship due to an emergency related displacement
2. Those who are impacted by an emergency who are currently experiencing DFV
3. Those that experience previously DFV in their relationship post emergency, when that DFV had never been experienced.
The presentation will present the data from a review of Emergency Management Plans and discuss the opportunity that adequate planning will provide in addressing each of these three groups.
The presentation will discuss the opportunities that the natural disaster or local emergency may present for earlier intervention. The presentation will also discuss education and follow-up ability after a natural disaster or local emergency.
The two areas that will be examined are those relating to pets in emergencies and planning for DFV during and after natural disasters and local emergencies.
The presentation will discuss planning for pets and companion animals. The data strongly supports that some people will not leave a violent relationship due to violence, threats of violence and safety concerns for pets within a relationship.
Given that some emergency management planning already plans for pet support, this may create an opportunity for a person subjected to existing DFV to reduce this factor in seeking support for survivors.
We know that an emergency may provide an opportunity where a survivor and their pets may be separated from the perpetrator due to the emergency. This may provide an opportunity for help and support to be provided.
For the second component, the presentation will examine the three types of Domestic/Family Violence (DFV) groups identifiable during and after a natural disaster or local emergency.
The groups:
1.Those who return to a violent household or relationship due to an emergency related displacement
2. Those who are impacted by an emergency who are currently experiencing DFV
3. Those that experience previously DFV in their relationship post emergency, when that DFV had never been experienced.
The presentation will present the data from a review of Emergency Management Plans and discuss the opportunity that adequate planning will provide in addressing each of these three groups.
The presentation will discuss the opportunities that the natural disaster or local emergency may present for earlier intervention. The presentation will also discuss education and follow-up ability after a natural disaster or local emergency.
Biography
Andrew Williams is a Professional Doctorate of Public Safety Candidate who is preparing to submit his thesis examining Emergency Management Planning for Domestic/Family Violence.
Andrew is an Emergency Management practitioner who has worked in the field in Local Government, Health, and Education sectors.
Andrew is passionate about bringing meaningful operational changes to the field that will see the full utilization of opportunities that may be created to provide prevention or mitigation opportunities after a natural disaster and local emergencies.
