animalcruelty,childabuseanddomesticviolence-academyon.ppt

CHILD ABUSE ANIMAL CRUELTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Why should I obtain information about the child’s experiences with animals “The behavior that harms the animal is the same behavior that harms the human.” Lynn Loar, Ph.D. Battered Women and Battered Animals Harming animals: perpetuates context of terror demonstrates power warns you may be next” eliminates source of support or comfort provides incentive for woman to stay reinforces that there is no safe place Ontario SPCA 2000 Survey of Domestic Violence Victims Surveyed 111 pet-owning domestic violence victims at 21 shelters across Ontario. Nearly 50% of respondents reported partner had threatened, abused or killed family pet. 43% said concern over pets’ welfare prevented them from leaving sooner. Cincinnati YWCA Battered Women’s ShelterTelephone Interview Children? Any pets? Pets need to get out of your home Need place for pets to stay while you are in shelter? The SPCA will shelter your pets. Lethality questions: Weapons? Use alcohol or drugs? Threatened to kill you? Ever harmed a pet? Criminal history? Lethality Assessment 3 top indicators that a woman will be killed by her batterer ? Homicide or suicide gestures / threats ? Access to weapons ? Threat to mutilate or kill pets Why are batterers considered more dangerous if they abuse pets? Because they are more likely to use physical, sexual, and emotional violence and stalking We must address this issue in treatment and safety planning Simmons,C.A. Lehmann, P. 2007 Exploring the link between pet abuse and controlling behaviors in violent relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22 9 , 1211-1222. Domestic Violence, Animal Abuse and Custody/Visitation Verbally abusive, drinks heavily, busted doors with fists, threatened to kill her pet Former GF’s son age 9: name calling, hits in face, lifted boy’s dog over his head and slammed it to the floor in front of boy Wants custody and unsupervised visitation with his 2 y/o daughter! Expos