Protecting pets in domestic violence cases will take more than a law change
- Written by: Weekend Times
We have known for a long time that when humans are abused in the family, it’s likely any companion animals in the household are also being abused – and vice
versa.
So the ACT party’s recently announced policy to amend the Crimes Act to address the issue is certainly welcome.
The change would make it illegal to use companion animals to coerce or control victims in violent family relationships. It would also strengthen protection orders to ensure offenders can’t withhold, sell, give away or dispose of an animal owned by a protected person.
Police would also be required to record pets in family violence reporting, and would have authority to remove animals when they believe they’re at risk.
But good intentions aside, the policy will have limited effect if it isn’t accompanied by resourcing and service provision that reflect the complex and lasting nature of domestic violence where animals are involved.
Coercive control
One of the most common ways animals are used by perpetrators in violent households is through coercive control – a deliberate pattern of behaviour used to dominate and exploit someone.
In a 2015 study from the United States, for example, children aged seven to 12 reported violence against a pet was most commonly used as a tactic of power and control against their mother.
In New Zealand, a 2018 Women’s Refuge study of 929 people who had experienced pet abuse in a violent relationship identified the most common ways pets were used to control victims:
- threats to get rid of the pet
- threatening to kill or harm a pet
- threatening a pet in front of children
- scaring or intimidating the pet on purpose.
Companion animals also experience direct physical violence such as hitting, kicking and strangulation. Concern over pet wellbeing is a major barrier for those trying to leave violent relationships.
Currently, responding to companion animals in domestic violence situations falls largely to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and support services.
For instance, NGOs in Australia and New Zealand provide emergency boarding and fostering for companion animals as well as veterinary care and behaviour support .
There is also a global movement to help family violence shelters offer pet-friendly spaces. But limited resources mean these existing services tend to separate human and animal victims, when it might be better to keep them together to help recovery from trauma.
Animals as victim-survivors
Adding companion animals to coercive control legislation is a good step, and animal-inclusive protection orders may provide much needed support for people and animals alike.
But legislation alone is not enough, and nor is simply adding animals to existing legislation.
A recent review in Canada recommended any legislative change should be accompanied by more resources to support family violence organisations to develop companion animal programmes.
We need to think about animals themselves as victim-survivors of domestic violence, with specific needs. In fact, there are already services in New Zealand, such as Pet Refuge, that are taking a trauma-informed approach to these animals.
These providers work with animal behaviourists, create appropriate shelters and spaces, and understand the complexities of removing animals from violent situations.
Ideally, these approaches would be incorporated into the services supporting human victim-survivors to leave violent relationships.
We also know that the effects of domestic violence do not stop as soon as someone leaves a violent relationship. Victim-survivors report challenges obtaining pet-friendly housing and having the resources to care for their animals.
Improved support services
It is also important for social services and case workers to understand how important people’s relationships with companion animals are, which means they can better support and advocate for clients with pets.
Research has found that having service providers who appreciated the importance of the human-animal bond was crucial to tenants’ ability to find and stay in rental housing that allowed pets.
Overall, social services dealing with domestic violence could become more animal friendly by:
- embedding recognition of the significance of animal companionship in policies and procedures
- offering relevant training and development to staff
- including (preferably standardised) information about animals in risk assessment and intake data
- working with animal experts to create animal-friendly policies, practices and shelters
- supporting victim-survivors to leave with their animals by resourcing animal-friendly transport, accommodation and ongoing needs
Responding to animals in domestic violence situations is crucial for both human and animal safety, and the ACT policy is a good start. But if we really want to make a difference for victim-survivors, we need to resource the services and supports people need to leave safely with their pets.
Zoei Sutton consults to Safe Pets Safe Families and has received funding from the Society for Companion Animal Studies, Office for Ageing Well (SA), and Safe Pets Safe Families for projects and evaluations. She is chair of the Australasian Animal Studies Association.
Nik Taylor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
