Heatwaves are not only a threat to physical health but also a broader public safety concern, as they can increase violence against women and undermine wellbeing, economic participation, and social stability. Evidence from Italy shows that hotter weeks are linked to higher levels of violence: when temperatures exceed 28°C, helpline calls rise by about 20%, and above 30°C, femicides increase sharply. Hot nights appear to drive this effect more than hot days, likely because disrupted sleep heightens stress and conflict.
These findings imply that heatwaves should be treated as periods of heightened violence risk, not just health risk. Policymakers should integrate violence prevention into heat-response plans, ensure support services can handle predictable surges in demand, and incorporate social risks into climate adaptation strategies. In a warming world, climate policy must account for personal safety, and violence prevention can no longer remain climate-blind.
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