·        Understanding the links – statistics on child abuse, animal abuse and domestic violence

“He held my daughters’ pets out of the upstairs window, and threatened to drop them if we did not return home.”

It is becoming more and more common that family pets are used as a tool to manipulate and control victims of domestic violence.    In fact, evidence of the links between child abuse, animal abuse and domestic violence is becoming increasingly apparent and there is growing evidence to confirm these beliefs.

Abuse to children, vulnerable adults or animals can have damaging and devastating effects for both the victims, their families and wider society.   If you are faced with this situation and don’t know where to turn, don’t worry help is at hand.  There are organisations that can give you and your family safe refuge whilst at the same time, looking after the family pet.

·        Where serious animal abuse has occurred in a household there may be an increased likelihood that some other form of family violence is also occurring.

·        It is also apparent that children may be at increased risk of abuse in this environment.

·        Acts of animal abuse may in some circumstances be used to coerce, control and intimidate women and children to remain in, or be silent about, their abusive situation.  The threat or actual abuse of a pet can prevent women from leaving situations of domestic violence. “It’s lovely to know that the children can have their pets back and it makes it easier for them to cope with not having a home.”