We often think about the impacts of extreme heat in terms of wildfires, droughts, or pressure on our health systems. But there is another consequence that receives far less attention.

A growing body of research shows that periods of extreme heat are associated with increased rates of violence against women, particularly intimate partner violence. 

As climate change drives more frequent and more intense heatwaves across Europe, this is a connection we can no longer afford to ignore.

Making the invisible visible

This page is part of a Europe-wide creative campaign by Fine Acts, developed in collaboration with six creative agencies across six European countries.

Together, we're using weather-related media and everyday moments to reveal a link that is rarely included in conversations about either climate change or violence against women. By placing this message where people already look for weather information, we hope to make an invisible issue visible – and encourage more people to recognise that climate change affects not only our environment, but also our safety, relationships, and communities.

will not end violence.

Awareness alone

But without awareness

it is much harder

to prevent it.

What the evidence tells us

Violence against women is already widespread across Europe. Around one in three women in the European Union has experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15.

Research is increasingly showing that climate-related stress, particularly extreme heat, can intensify existing risks. According to UN Women, every 1°C increase in global temperature is associated with a 4.7% increase in intimate partner violence. Other studies have found that periods of extreme heat are linked to higher rates of domestic abuse and interpersonal violence, with some evidence suggesting that severe forms of violence increase the most.

This doesn't mean heat creates abusive behaviour. Rather, it can act as a risk amplifier, worsening circumstances that are already dangerous. Recognising this relationship can help governments, cities, service providers, and communities prepare more effectively as our climate changes.

What can you do?

Whether you're learning about this connection for the first time or already working on these issues, there are ways to help.

• Learn more about how climate change and violence against women intersect.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, contact a local support organisation or helpline.

• Support organisations working to prevent violence against women and support survivors through donations, volunteering, or advocacy.

• Share this information to help bring this overlooked issue into public conversation.

• Call for climate policies that recognise women's safety, ensuring that efforts to adapt to a changing climate also strengthen protection and prevention.

The climate crisis affects far more than temperatures. It shapes how we live, how we relate to one another, and how safe people are in their everyday lives. Understanding these connections is an essential step towards creating a safer and more just future.

Read more

If you'd like to explore the research behind this campaign, we recommend:

Research

• Understanding the Link Between Heat and Intimate Partner Violence – a study using administrative data from Spain (2006–2022), finding that extreme heat is associated with increased intimate partner violence, particularly severe cases.

• Do Heatwaves/Above-Average Temperature Increase Interpersonal Violent Behavior? A Scoping Review – a review of evidence linking elevated temperatures to increased interpersonal violence and recommendations for climate adaptation.

• Heat Wave and the Risk of Intimate Partner Violence – research examining how heatwaves are associated with increased risk of intimate partner violence over time.

• Do Gender-Based Violence Interventions Consider the Impacts of Climate Change? A Systematic Review – a review highlighting the need for violence prevention and response programmes to better account for climate-related risks.

Books

• Feminism for a World on Fire by Natasha Walter

• The Heat and the Fury: On the Frontlines of Climate Violence by Peter Schwarzstein