Stress increase due to family life disturbance, the challenge of satisfying daily needs such as food, water and housing, as well as health service and public order disruptions may increase the possibility of violence. Strategies to prevent violence after disasters must be aimed to helping people in need and establishing support networks to tend to daily tasks.

•    Child abuse prevention
•    Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention
•    Stress control of interpersonal relationships
•    Sexual violence prevention
•    Suicide prevention
•    Juvenile violence prevention

Child abuse prevention

•    Be an affectionate parent. Parents are more stressed after a natural disaster. It is important to continue to care for your children. Parent reactions have a strong effect upon children.
•    Comfort crying children. Never shake a child. Shaking it may cause injuries or even death.
•    Protect your child. It is important to know where your children are and who they are with at every moment.
•    Seek help from other people. Seek help from other parents, family and close friends if you are under stress. Breaks are necessary when stress increases.
•    Children that have been separated from their families must be referred to corresponding authorities. This will help identifying children who are not in the company of their parents or that are separated from their families and provide them special care.
•    If you suspect abuse or negligence, report it. If you have reasons to believe that a child has been harmed or might be harmed, inform the authorities.

Shaken baby syndrome prevention

•    Do not shake the baby. Shaking a baby by the shoulders, arms or legs may cause it serious injury or even death.
•    Try to find out why it is crying. Make sure that all the baby’s basic needs have been fulfilled (food, diapers, if it is under or over dressed, etc). You can also find out if there are signs of illness or pain, such as diaper rash.
•    Comfort the baby. Caress the baby’s back, cradle it softly, give it a pacifier. You can also sing or talk to it.
•    Go out for a walk. Take the baby for a ride on the stroller or car. Use the safety booster if you are taking the baby for a car ride.
•    Take a moment to rest. It is perfectly normal for babies to cry a lot. This may cause a great deal of stress for the parents. When feeling angry or when you think you are unable to solve the problem, take a moment to rest and calm down to reduce the stress.
•    Talk to other people. Talk to a close friend or family member and tell them how you feel. This will help you take a break and calm down.
Stress control on interpersonal relationships
•    Take necessary measures if you notice that something is not right. If you notice that someone is acting violently, take all necessary measures. Remove the person in harm’s way if there is no danger in doing so. If your safety is in jeopardy, inform the corresponding authorities about the possible dangerous situation.
•    Seek help. If you feel that you are in danger, seek help from reliable sources such as counselors, friends and relatives, as well as health clinics. This will help you keeping safe.
•    Do not consume drugs or alcohol. These substances may increase anxiety and stress levels and lead you to visit places where you could be attacked.
•    Take a moment to rest. Relationships become more stressful when attempting to replace homes and lost jobs and trying to find calm. If you feel stressed, take a moment to rest.
•    Get involved in activities. Keep active. Volunteer to work in shelters, community services or schools.

Sexual violence prevention

•    Take measures. If you witness an attack, take measures. Separate the person from their attacker if it is safe to do so. Talk with corresponding authorities about what happened if your safety is in danger.
•    Keep safe. Take measures in the case to ensure your safety. Do not stay alone. If possible, seek the company of a group of close friends.
•    Go to safe places. If possible, go to crowded places.
•    Avoid drugs and alcohol. These substances may increase anxiety and stress and lead you to places where you might be attacked.
•    Seek support from other people. If you are a victim of sexual violence or know someone who is, talk to a close friend or relative. They may offer the support you need.

Suicide prevention

•    Keep in touch with your family. If possible, keep in touch with family, friends and close neighbors to help you handle the stress and losses after a natural disaster.
•    Seek professional help. Seek help from doctors and other leaders that may be able to help.
•    Keep active. Go out for a walk or get involved in other group activities to keep active.
•    Keep busy. Help others in your shelter, community or school.
Juvenile violence prevention
•    Respect others and value differences. Even if you feel stressed or anxious, do not intimidate, mock or talk about others.
•    Partake in cleaning activities. Help in cleaning and local or community rescue activities.
•    Avoid drugs and alcohol. Stay away from drugs and alcohol as well as from people who consume them. They can increase anxiety and stress levels and lead you to places where you could be attacked.
•    Seek other ways to solve differences and arguments. Make your point without yelling, hitting or pushing, and tell your friends to do the same.
•    Do not carry weapons. Carrying a weapon will not make you safer; weapons will often make tempers rise and increase the possibility of serious injury.