Withstanding the heat: a domestic violence survivor’s story

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Leer en español (translations in multiple languages coming soon)

The health dangers arising from extreme weather aren’t just conditions like hypothermia or heat stroke. Emerging research is showing that when there are extreme weather events like heat waves or snow storms, the level of violence also rises, including domestic violence. Unfortunately, there are more of these weather events happening with climate change.

In this graphic narrative, a local woman shares the physical and emotional toll that hot weather had on her—and importantly, how she found help and support. She tells her story in the hope that other people in domestic violence situations, especially immigrant women like herself, might also seek help. We’ve listed local and national organizations that provide free, confidential support at the bottom of this post.

Comic strip cover: a woman in shorts wipes her brow as she sits in front of an open window on a sunny day. A fan blows on her.
Close up of Jenny, an Asian woman with black hair in a bun. She says, "Whenever there's a heat wave, I get really anxious. It comes from an abusive relationship that I was in several years ago..."
Jenny, watching a weather reporter on TV say, "It's already scorching hot in the Puget Sound..." Narration: When it got hot, my husband was easily irritated by even little things."
Jenny cleaning a counter and thinking: "Maybe he'll be ok if can make everything just right. If I can get to the store, I can make cheeseburgers--he likes that."
Jenny is putting beer cans in a refrigerator. Jenny's son, an elementary school-aged boy, says, "Mom! What are you doing? You know hwat happens when he drinks!" Jenny replies, "I know, but it's even worse if he doesn't get what he wants! Today, he'll want it cold."
A man with blond hair and a scowling face enters the room and says, "I couldn't get any sleep because it's so [expletive] hot! And then I come home and it's a [expletive] mess in here! Give me a beer." Jenny, frowning, keeps a hand on her son's shoulder.
A beer can flies over Jenny's son's head as he cowers. Her husband says, "What the [expletive] is this?! I don't drink this brand!"
Narration: Hot days were terrifying. Jenny hugs her son protectively. They are in room with a chair toppled over, a picture hanging off kilter, and a can of beer lying on its side. The sun burns brightly through the window.
Narration: It wasn't easy, but eventually I got out of that relationship. I found out that my experience was similar to others'. Jenny sits in circle of women, some eating food, a child playing in the middle. A sign on the wall reads: Support Group Today. Food is set out on the table.
Gabi, a woman with long black hair, sits next to Jenny at the support group. She says, "It's not just hot weather. All extreme weather brings more risk of violence, especially for women like us."
In a flashback, Gabi is shown looking out the window on a snowy day. Narration: I remember how I felt during a bad snow storm...Gabi is thinking, "No buses are running, roads are closed. There's no way I can escape."
Gabi looking out the window at the snow. A man drinking from a can is shown sitting behind her. Gabi is thinking, "Even if I could speak English, if I call the police, I could be deported. I feel so trapped!"
Back at the support group, Jenny tells Gabi: "I know how isolating it can be, especially if you don't have family or friends nearby. This organization can help. They helped me."
Jenny puts her hand on Gabi's shoulder and they are both smiling. Jenny says. "Still, I can't help feeling stressed when the weather gets extreme. But we're going to be okay."

Our heartfelt thanks to the survivor who shared this story. She co-wrote this graphic narrative with Meredith Li-Vollmer, artwork by David Lasky. This is a project of the Climate Health Equity Initiative at Public Health – Seattle & King County.

If you or someone you know needs help

If you think you might be experiencing abuse or want to support someone who is, there are many organizations that can help.

In King County:

  • New Beginnings has a helpline available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. A trained advocate is always on the other end to help with emotional support, planning for your safety, information about how you can access services or support groups, and more. You don’t have to be in crisis to call. Se habla español. Call anytime: 206-737-0242
  • Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) provides social services, advocacy, and family law legal services to help immigrant and refugee women recover from violence and live healthy lives. These services are available in 17 languages. Contact the Domestic Violence Program at 206.721.0243 or DVInformation@rewa.org. After-hour cellphone helpline crisis calls in 7 different languages:  1 (888) 847-7205
  • Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) provides comprehensive services to Deaf and DeafBlind survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment to transform their lives. The Deaf Hotline is a 24/7 hotline that is ASL accessible for people experiencing abuse. Call 855-812-1001 or contact online at  Contact Us – The Deaf Hotline
  • API Chaya offers free, culturally relevant services to help survivors. Call in any language (interpreters available): 1-877-922-4292
  • YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish provides individual assistance with safety planning and issues related to gender-based violence, as well as weekly support groups in Spanish and English. Call or text in Spanish or English, 877-757-8297, Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5 pm.

If you are outside King County:

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline can connect you to support and resources in your area. Call in Spanish or English, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), available 24/7, or text “START” to 88788.
  • The Deaf Hotline is a 24/7 hotline that is ASL accessible for people experiencing abuse. Call 855-812-1001 or contact online at  Contact Us – The Deaf Hotline

Additional resources on climate and health

Originally published on July 9, 2025.