by Shawna Anderson, LPC-1, Non-Residetial Youth Counselor II
Domestic violence is typically seen as violent or aggressive behaviors that occur between intimate partners.
It’s defined by the presence of power and control where one partner engages in coercive behaviors in order to establish and maintain control over the other partner.
Domestic violence is easiest to recognize when the assault is physical because the broken bones, bruises, cuts and scrapes. are visible.
However, direct physical abuse is only one of the many tactics that abusers use to maintain their control. Abusers often utilize psychological abuse and manipulation in order to display their authority within the relationship. One specific example of such psychological abuse is the mistreatment of household animals or pets.
Experts estimate that from 48 percent to 71 percent of battered women have pets who also have been abused or killed. In fact, pet abuse is one of four significant factors associated with battering.
It is commonly thought that the act of abusing animals is a stepping stone to abusing people. However, that is not necessarily the common order of events. Abusers are known to abuse animals both during and after they abuse their human victim for a number of reasons. Sometimes, an animal is the victim’s only source of comfort and harming it increases the victim’s sense of isolation, hopelessness and fear. Abusers can harm or threaten to harm their partners’ pets as a way to force them to do exactly what they want or to punish the victim. In addition, an abuser can threaten a pet’s life in an effort to ensure that their partner doesn’t leave them.
Domestic violence shelters often do not allow pets and this places victims in the position of having to choose whether or not to abandon their beloved animal. If they chose to leave, they may experience extreme guilt and then end up returning to check on their pet. HCWC recognizes the challenge this poses for victims of abuse and has entered into agreements with various providers to house the pets while the victim is in the shelter.
Safety measures and precautions can be taken to establish the best outcome for the animal(s).
The Animal Welfare Institute has established “safe havens,” which are sheltering services that are available to assist victims of domestic violence with finding a safe place for their animal. Their website, https://awionline.org/safe-havens, includes a safe haven mapping project where victims can find safe havens that are local to their area.
When creating their safety plan, victims are also encouraged to establish ownership of their pet and maintain access to their important health documents. Additional helpful information can be found at the National Domestic Violence Hotline website at https://www.thehotline.org/2014/08/14/keeping-your-pets-safe/.
It is essential for professionals who work with human and animal victims to be aware of the role that animal abuse has in the cycle of violence. This knowledge allows for better protection and encourages a raised voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Anyone who witnesses or suspects of animal cruelty is encouraged to report it. Animal cruelty is a crime in all states and reports can be made to the local police or sheriff’s department. It is important to remember that speaking up may benefit more than just the animals.
This is part two of a five-week series focused on raising awareness about domestic violence.
