Quantifying and Navigating the Potential Impacts of the MVP Southgate Extension on North Carolina’s MMIW Crisis

Abstract

Across the United States and Canada, there is an ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). While there are multiple intersecting factors that create these statistics, a considerable factor found across both nations is pipeline construction projects. The establishment of temporary worker camps for these projects has been shown to coincide with an increase in violent crime including human trafficking, sexual assault, and harassment against local women. In North Carolina, the proposed Southgate extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline has been met with tremendous pushback from Indigenous North Carolinians, who remain concerned about the potential establishment of these locations through their homelands. Utilizing statistical data, previous related studies, similar reported incidents across the US and Canada, and statements from Indigenous women in the area regarding their concerns, this study quantifies and evaluates the potential for increased violence against North Carolina\u27s Indigenous women in conjunction with the construction of the proposed Southgate extension and the establishment of worker encampments. Additionally, this study also provides discussion on potential solutions to navigate, mitigate, and prevent incidents of pipeline related violence from occurring