Hurricane-induced Stress May Contribute to Domestic Violence

HOUSTON (Oct. 6, 2008) – The Harris County Hospital District's VIVA (Volunteer Initiative vs. Violent Acts) Project will focus attention on a rise in domestic violence directly related to the after-effects of Hurricane Ike.  

A number of storm-related factors including disruptive evacuation plans, severe storm damage to homes and neighborhoods, and longer-than-expected power outages are contributing to the problem. People are under a lot of stress, and sometimes the stress manifests into more incidents of domestic abuse, experts warn. 

Efforts to stave off domestic violence will be discussed Oct. 8 during an open house for the VIVA Project at Ben Taub General Hospital. The Harris County Hospital District and Baylor College of Medicine-sponsored program teaches medical staff to identify signs of abuse and offer victims counseling and guidance to get out of abusive situations.

WHAT:             VIVA Project Open House

WHEN:             11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8

WHERE:           Ben Taub General Hospital, 1504 Taub Loop

(Best media opportunity is noon to 12:30 p.m.)

The VIVA Project, begun in 1999, is recognized statewide and nationally for its hospital-based response to domestic abuse victims. VIVA uses a team of nurses, physicians, social workers, administrators, patient advocates, community advocates and domestic abuse survivors to help victims.