ISSUES
: Domestic Violence
Chapter 1: Domestic violence
21
Pets caught up in domestic violence
I
t is becoming more and more
common that family pets are
used as a tool to manipulate and
control victims of domestic violence.
In addition, increasing research and
clinical evidence suggests that there
are inter-relationships, commonly
referred to as ‘links’, between the
abuse of children, vulnerable adults
and animals. A better understanding
of these links can help to protect
victims, both human and animal, and
promote their welfare.
The Links Group aims to raise
awareness of the ‘links’ to all
professionals in the hope that
agencies will work together to help
prevent related cases from going
undetected.
Abuse to children, vulnerable adults
or animals can have damaging and
devastating effects for the victims,
their families and wider society. If you
are faced with this situation and don’t
know where to turn, you should know
that there are organisations that can
give you and your family safe refuge,
whilst at the same time looking after
the family pet.
It has been shown that:
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Where serious animal abuse has
occurred in a household there
may be an increased likelihood
that some other form of family
violence is also occurring.
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It is also apparent that children
may be at increased risk of abuse
in this environment.
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Acts of animal abuse may in
some circumstances be used to
coerce, control and intimidate a
partner and children to remain in,
or be silent about, their abusive
situation. The threat or actual
abuse of a pet can prevent
victims from leaving situations of
domestic violence.
An actual quote:
“He heldmy daughters’ pets out of the
upstairs window, and threatened to
drop them if we did not return home.”
In a survey by pet fostering charity
Paws for Kids:
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66% said their abuser had
threatened to harm their pets
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94% said if there had been a
pet fostering service it would
have made it easier for them to
leave the violence, and so spare
themselves and their children
more abuse.
How it works
Petlink Raystede Home for Animal
Welfare in East Sussex and part
of The Links Group describe their
procedure, “We take referrals from
both agencies and/or directly from
the owner, providing they can provide
confirmation that they are fleeing
domestic violence, i.e. an email or
letter from a case worker, the police or
social services. We will then ask you
to complete a variety of forms which
include pet information form and a
legal contract. Once this information
has been received we will endeavour
to place your pet temporarily in a
loving family home with a volunteer
foster carer. Your pet will be reunited
with you once you are settled and are
able to have it back.”
An actual story:
Joanna’s domestic violence key
worker contacted the Pet Fostering
Service explaining she had been
working with Joanna for the past six
months, but Joanna would not leave
her violent home until something could
be sorted out for her two beloved
dogs, Ruby and Toby. Referral forms
were faxed and returned the same
day. Arrangements were made to
meet Joanna with Ruby and Toby
the following day while she was on
her way to the refuge. Obviously, she
was very upset about parting with
them, but knew it was the only way
they would all be safe. Ruby and Toby
jumped into the van and settled down
together.
On arrival at the foster carer’s house
Ruby and Toby explored their new
environment and within a couple of
hours had made themselves quite at
home, with Ruby on the sofa and Toby
curled up on the rug in front of the
fire. Joanna was offered a property
within a few months and once she
had settled in, was reunited her with
her dogs.
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The above information is reprinted
with kind permission from the Pet
Owners Association. Please visit
for further
information.
© Pet Owners Association 2016
If they have been hurt, offer to go
to the doctor with them. Have the
number of a useful helpline, such
as ChildLine on 0800 1111, ready to
give to them.
Your friend might be angry or upset
with you for a while, but they will know
you care and you might have helped
them realise they can get help.
If you’re abusing someone
If you’re abusing your partner or
you’re worried that you might, you
can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 or
talk to a trusted adult.
“Recognising that your behaviour is
wrong is the first step to stopping it.
But you may need help to stop,” says
Palmer.
Sometimes the things that cause
abusive behaviour, such as feelings
about things that happened in the
past, can be very powerful. “We can’t
always stop things on our own, or
straight away,” says Palmer. “We do
need help, which is why it’s important
to talk to someone.”
16 July 2014
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Theabove information is reprinted
with kind permission from NHS
Choices. Please visit
uk for further information.
© Crown copyright 2016
