Foregrounding Companion Animals’ Experiences of Domestic Violence

2019 ◽  
pp. 121-151
Author(s):  
Nik Taylor ◽  
Heather Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Companion Animals

scholarly journals Companion-animal-inclusive domestic violence practice: Implications for service delivery and social work

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-39
Author(s):  
Nik Taylor ◽  
Heather Fraser ◽  
Damien W. Riggs
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Service Design ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Animal Violence

INTRODUCTION: Based on an understanding of links between human- and animal-directed domestic violence, this article: 1) argues for companion-animal inclusive domestic violence service delivery; and 2) reflects on the challenges this offers to social work and the human services.APPROACH: We start by considering the importance of companion animals in many people’s lives and then offer an overview of material on “the link” between human- and animal-directed violence, specifically as it pertains to domestic violence.CONCLUSIONS: Implications for service design and provision are discussed. We conclude with brief comments about the importance of centring animals in future considerations of human– animal violence links and outline how this offers an opportunity to challenge and re-think the humanist foundations on which traditional social work is built.

Considering Companion Animals

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawna Komorosky ◽  
Dianne Rush Woods ◽  
Kristine Empie
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Animal Cruelty ◽  
Domestic Violence Shelters ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
National Trends ◽  
Qualitative Analyses

A growing body of literature has shown the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, resulting in a shift in the way family violence and those who are victims of abuse are considered. There are approximately 700 shelters across the nation protecting women and their children from domestic abuse, but not companion animals. National trends indicate that most domestic violence shelters do not accommodate companion animals on site. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to examine companion animal policies in California domestic violence shelters. Results indicated that shelter administrators are aware of the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty; however, they lack the resources to fully support clients with companion animals. Current best practices and recommendations highlight methods that can be used to develop broader community support for victims of domestic violence and their companion animals.

Double Jeopardy: Insurance, Animal Harm, and Domestic Violence

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 718-726
Author(s):  
Tania Signal ◽  
Nik Taylor ◽  
Karena J. Burke ◽  
Luke Brownlow
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Mandatory Reporting ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Insurance Policies ◽  
Insurance Discrimination ◽  
Nonaccidental Injury

Although the role of companion animals within the dynamic of domestic violence (DV) is increasingly recognized, the overlap of animal harm and insurance discrimination for victims/survivors of DV has not been considered. Prompted by a case study presented in a National Link Coalition LINK-Letter, this research note examines “Pet Insurance” policies available in Australia and whether nonaccidental injury caused by an intimate partner would be covered. We discuss the implications of exclusion criteria for victims/survivors of DV, shelters providing places for animals within a DV dynamic, and, more broadly, for cross- or mandatory-reporting (of animal harm) initiatives.

scholarly journals Domestic violence and companion animals in the context of LGBT people’s relationships

Sexualities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 821-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nik Taylor ◽  
Heather Fraser ◽  
Damien W Riggs
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
The Other ◽  
Animal Abuse ◽  
Critical Animal Studies

The link between domestic violence and animal abuse has now been well established, indicating that where there is one form of abuse, there is often the other. Research on this link, however, has almost exclusively focused on heterosexual cisgender people’s relationships. Lacking, then, is an exploration of the possibly unique links between domestic violence and animal abuse in the context of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people’s relationships. In this article we adopt a feminist intersectional approach informed by Critical Animal Studies to advocate for a non-pathologising approach to understanding LGBT people’s relationships with regard to the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.

scholarly journals The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence: A National Survey of Shelters for Women who are Battered

1997 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Wood ◽  
Claudia V. Weber ◽  
Frank R. Ascione
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
National Survey ◽  
District Of Columbia ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Animal Abuse ◽  
Intake Interview ◽  
Women And Children

AbstractThe maltreatment of animals, usually companion animals, may occur in homes where there is domestic violence, yet we have limited information about the prevalence of such maltreatment. We surveyed the largest shelters for women who are battered in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Shelters were selected if they provided overnight facilities and programs or services for children. Ninety-six percent of the shelters responded. Analysis revealed that it is common for shelters to serve women and children who talk about companion animal abuse. However, only a minority of respondents indicated that they systematically ask about companion animal maltreatment in their intake interview. We discuss the implications of these results for domestic violence programs, animal welfare organizations, and programs serving children of women who are battered by their partners.

International Law, Domestic Violence, and the Intersection with Nonhuman Animal Abuse

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Sheena Swemmer
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
International Law ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Nonhuman Animal ◽  
Animal Abuse ◽  
Nonhuman Animals ◽  
Victims Of Violence ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Domestic Violence Law

AbstractThis article acknowledges the void in international law around the general protection of all nonhuman animals and suggests that the framework currently set out in inter- national law requires development. It will be argued that the idea of protecting certain vulnerable animals within international law be adopted and the definition of “vulnerability” be viewed in a less anthropocentric way to include groups of animals who experience vulnerability in different ways, such as companion animals who are victims of violence in the home. It will be suggested that due to the nature of domestic violence and its effects on numerous victims (women, children, and companion animals), inter- national domestic violence law must be developed to include all possible victims of domestic violence in the home who include both children and companion animals.

“The animals are all I have”

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 490-514
Author(s):  
C.M. Tiplady ◽  
D.B. Walsh ◽  
C.J.C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Companion Animals

AbstractThis article describes a study of thirteen women who had lived with companion animals during a domestic violence relationship. The women were interviewed in order to investigate how animals were affected by the violence, as well as how veterinarians were involved. Most women reported that companion animals had been abused or neglected by their partners, and they had delayed leaving due to concerns for animals left in the home. Affected animals most commonly demonstrated protection of the woman, and avoidance or aggression towards the partner. Only one woman confided to a veterinarian that she and her animals were living with domestic violence, and in four cases women’s partners had prevented them from accessing veterinary care. It is recommended that veterinarians are educated on issues regarding animal guardianship during domestic violence to enhance their ability to provide knowledgeable and compassionate support when confronted with these cases in practice.

Examining the Nexus Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse in a National Sample of Service Providers

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie L. Krienert ◽  
Jeffrey A. Walsh ◽  
Kevin Matthews ◽  
Kelly McConkey
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Safety Planning ◽  
The Family ◽  
Planning Strategies

Companion animals play a complex role in families impacted by violence. An outlet of emotional support for victims, the family pet often becomes a target for physical abuse. Results from a comprehensive e-survey of domestic violence shelters nationwide (N = 767) highlight both improvements and existing gaps in service provision for domestic violence victims and their pets. Quantitative and qualitative data noted frequently encountered obstacles to successful shelter seeking by abuse victims with companion animals including a lack of availability, funding, space, and reliable programming. Although results indicate an overall improvement in organizational awareness, fewer than half of surveyed shelters include intake questions about animals. Continued awareness and an expansion of services is needed to create viable safety planning strategies and reliable alternatives for women with companion animals in order to improve the likelihood that abuse victims will seek escape and refuge for themselves, their children, and their pets.

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