Animal Abuse = Domestic Violence

Animal Abuse = Domestic Violence

            Animal abuse and neglect are some of the most horrific and terrifying acts that someone can do to an animal.  It is unfortunate that people abuse their animals, and the abuse can occur in similar fashions as domestic violence and abuse.  Abuse is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as, “A deceitful act; language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily; physical maltreatment” (Merriam-Webster, 2011).  However, abuse can also be sexual abuse and emotional abuse as well; animals and humans alike have the capacity to feel neglect, abuse, and emotional damage.  Furthermore, there is a link to be considered when domestic abuse occurs, and that link lies between the victims, the abusers, and the animals that are a part of the family as well.  In other words, when domestic abuse happens, and animals are in the home, more than likely, the domestic abuse will be inflicted on the animals as well.

            According to a study conducted in New Jersey, fifty-three families were observed and interviewed who were connected to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.  Among the fifty-three families the majority who endured physical abuse within the human family also had evidence of animal abuse within the household.  Even more interesting, are the facts about abusers themselves; in more than half of the households where the father was the abuser of the human family, he was also the abuser of the animals.  However, in the rest of the households where the father was the abuser, a child was the abuser of the animal/s (French, 2004).  The children or child who is abusing the animal is attempting to take their frustration out on someone or something that is vulnerable; in these cases a lot of times, the animal is the vulnerable being.  On another note, provided the abuser was the father, there were survivors of child sex abuse victims that were interviewed within the same study as well.

            Survivors of early childhood sexual abuse recounted that their abusers would actually use their animals against them.  In order to continue the abuse upon the child and to ensure secrecy, the life of the animal was threatened (French, 2004).  The use of animals as a threatening and coercive tool to control has not been unheard of; the abuser is more likely to use the pet as the coercive power and control over the human victims.   Becker and French also found that in the accounts of battered women, the women would remain in the abusive home in order to prevent the animal from being abused or attempt to protect the animal.  Several women who were observed gave testimony that they would have left to a shelter sooner if they had not owned a pet (French, 2004).  Furthermore, women who are abused, use their pets as emotional and comforting support to help cope with the abuse.  According to the American Humane Association, the majority of women who are abused think of their pet as a member of the family, and a lot of times are the only source of support for the women (Association, 2011).

The abuse that is happening everyday around the country and even around the world is horrendous and the only way to help prevent the abuse is to raise awareness. The issue here is the abuse itself, however the issue needs to become more than the abuse.   The problem we face today is the numbers that exist among domestic violence victims and the animals being abused.  The number of animals being abused in home environments have been growing and are still growing; communities need to come together to confer with each other and find out who is being victimized .  Programs that involve animal abuse awareness should be in place at local rescues and adoption centers in order for people to come out and get help.  Many victims of the violence are too scared for themselves, their children and their pets.  Therefore, if rescues began to come forward and start helping the human victims as well as the animals, we might be able to save some of the victims.  Furthermore, it would be ideal if rescues were to get involved with domestic violence shelters in order to secure the lives of the animals that may still be in the abusive environment.  All in all, animal rescues need to get in touch with family services in order to raise awareness that animals get abused within the domestic violent home.

References

Association, A. H. (2011, November 1). Facts About Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from American Humane Association: http://www.americanhumane.org/interaction/support-the-bond/fact-sheets/animal-abuse-domestic-violence.html

French, F. B. (2004). Making the Links: Child Abuse, Animal Cruelty, and Domestic Violence. Child Abuse Review , 399-414.

Merriam-Webster. (2011, November 1). An Encyclopedia Britannica Company: Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from merriam-webster.com: http://www.merriam-webster.com