Carmen Aina (University of Eastern Piedmont)
Lavinia Parisi and Matteo Picchio
We investigate the impact of temperature fluctuations on gender-based violence in Italy, focusing on femicides and calls to the 1522 helpline, a public service for helping and supporting victims of gender-based violence and stalking. We find that both femicides and helpline calls increase substantially with warmer temperatures. Elevated nighttime temperatures also play a significant role in this dynamic. These findings suggest that extreme weather, particularly high nighttime temperatures, may contribute to gender-based violence by disrupting sleep, increasing stress levels, or leading women to spend more time outdoors at night. This study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary policies that address both social and environmental factors in preventing violence against women.