Integrating Animals into the Family Violence Paradigm: Implications for Policy and Professional Standards

Abstract

SUMMARY Noting the established link between animal abuse and family violence, this paper outlines the implications for policy and professional standards. Federal policies related to the collection of crime statistics by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the collection by federal agencies of data on family violence, including domestic abuse and child abuse and neglect, are cited and proposals for including questions about animal cruelty into these federal databases are offered. Various types of state legislation, such as cross reporting and increased penalties for individuals who commit violence in the presence of minors, are described, and the implications for the link between animal abuse and family violence are discussed. Finally, the important area of professional standards–how the mental health profession sets and maintains standards for education and training–is reviewed and suggestions for the inclusion of animal cruelty as an important component for assessment and treatment are proposed.