Sexual Violence Against Adult Women Immediately Before, During, and After Natural Disasters: A Scoping Review
AI Summary
Natural disasters are increasing in severity and frequency, yet women's increased risk of sexual violence during disasters is largely ignored by disaster management.
Existing literature is limited: few theoretically based high-quality studies and inconsistent terminology impede cross study comparison; 22 sources met inclusion.
Forensic nurses are well poised to lead research, collaborate with emergency management, and drive policy and regulation for gender-sensitive disaster management.
BACKGROUND: Natural disasters are increasing in severity and frequency, whereas women’s increased risk for sexual violence (SV) during disasters is largely ignored by disaster management.
AIMS: To assess what is known in the literature about SV towards adult women immediately before, during, and after natural disasters to inform forensic nursing practice.
METHODS: Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework, primary literature was searched in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Twenty-two sources met inclusion criteria.
RESULTS: Few theoretically based high-level studies, and multiple terms to describe similar phenomena limiting comparison between studies. Despite searching in CINAHL, no authors were nurses, and no sources came from nursing journals.
DISCUSSION: Quality research addressing sexual violence against women during disasters is needed. Forensic nurses are well poised to bring awareness and collaborate with emergency management agencies to lead regulation and policy change, advancing gender-sensitive disaster management.
Front Public Health. 2026 Jun 29;14:1887736. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1887736. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Bioterrorism involves the intentional release of biological agents capable of causing mass casualties, public health...
Acta Paediatr. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1111/apa.70678. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAIM: Physical activity in childhood and adolescence is a cornerstone of holistic health, supporting physical...
JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Jul 14;15:e94797. doi: 10.2196/94797.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition affecting approximately 7% to 8% of children and adolescents,...
JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jul 1;9(7):e2623051. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.23051.ABSTRACTIMPORTANCE: Child maltreatment is a major global public health concern with well-documented psychological consequences, but its associations with...
