NCJ Number
208656
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 13 Issue: 6 Dated: November-December 2004 Pages: 399-414
Date Published
December 2004
Length
16 pages
Annotation
After reviewing the research evidence on the links between child abuse, animal abuse, and domestic violence, this article explores the evidence base available to professionals who are working with animals or children and describes the United Kingdom's creation of a national multidisciplinary group known as the Links Group.
Abstract
Research over the past 20 years, primarily in the United States and Canada, has examined the possible relationship between child abuse and animal abuse. Four dominant and interrelated themes have emerged in the research: animal abuse as part of the continuum of abuse within the family; animal abuse perpetrated by children who show later aggressive and deviant behavior; animal abuse as an indicator of the presence of child abuse; and the therapeutic potential of animals in child development and within post-abuse work. The increased awareness of these links between child abuse and cruelty toward animals has influenced the legislative bodies in some countries to pass laws on animal cruelty that include psychological evaluation and counseling for offenders and mandated reporting by veterinarians when they suspect animal abuse. In England and Wales, however, policies that take into account the links between family violence and animal abuse have been impeded by legal, political, and attitudinal constraints. Competing priorities within child welfare and animal welfare organizations has prevented advocacy and cooperation in linking the work of the two specialties. The Links Group was established 2 years ago in an effort to achieve changes in policy and practice in these two types of agencies. Within the Links Group, two subgroups have been formed. One focuses on the provision of pet-fostering services and the development of good pet care, and the other subgroup reviews and develops cross-reporting protocol between child and animal protection agencies and the police. 49 references