Earthquakes and Crimes Against Women

While previous studies have analyzed the impact of earthquakes on domestic violence, less is known about its effects on other crimes against women. Administrative records on criminal incidence from Mexico enable this study on different crimes against women following two major earthquakes that struck Mexico in September 2017. The article estimates causal effects using a difference-in-differences strategy and shows that following the earthquakes femicides decreased by 2 percent, sexual abuse rose by 11 percent, and rape climbed by 12 percent. An exhaustive examination of potential mechanisms using survey data yields suggestive evidence that gangs play an important role in the escalation of sexual abuse. Data on school damages further shows that disruptions to middle- and high-schools could have plausibly facilitated students’ gang membership. HIGHLIGHTS In Mexico, one of the impacts of earthquakes is on crimes against women. Following earthquakes, sexual abuse increased by 11 percent and rape by 12 percent. Gangs play an important role in the escalation of sexual abuse.