Abstract
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.
Highlights
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 offer an overview of material on “the link” between human- and animal-directed violence, as it pertains to domestic violence
In Australia, more than one woman a week is killed by a male partner or ex-partner (Bryant & Bricknall, 2017) and, in 2016, police conducted one family violence investigation every five minutes in Aotearoa (It’s Not Ok, 2017)
In Aotearoa there are close to 5000 companion animals in 64% of households (Companion Animals in New Zealand (NZCAC), 2016) and an estimated 24 million companion animals in 62% of households in Australia (RSPCA, 2019)
Summary
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. In Aotearoa there are close to 5000 companion animals in 64% of households (Companion Animals in New Zealand (NZCAC), 2016) and an estimated 24 million companion animals in 62% of households in Australia (RSPCA, 2019) These animals are mostly perceived of and treated as family members (Charles, 2016; Risley-Curtiss, Holley, & Kodeine, 2011), not trivial adjuncts to the lives of humans. It means that they can be used against human victims of domestic violence, as seen in the fact that many humans experiencing domestic violence who live with companion animals, report remaining in abusive relationships or significantly delaying leaving, due to concern for their animals’ well-being (Collins et al, 2018; Roguski, 2012; Taylor & Fraser, 2019) This should put domestic violence against animals firmly in the purview of service provision. Important was the belief that images have the power to engage many in conversations about domestic violence and animal abuse who might otherwise turn away from such a difficult topic (see Taylor & Fraser, 2019, for more details)
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