Abusing (domestic) animals is a serious offense. It may also be an indication that domestic violence is taking place, or is becoming the next step. This applies in particular to violence against the partner. Collaboration between care providers and veterinarians is required here. The Animal Abuse Reporting Code for veterinarians pays special attention to this cross-link, and the Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse Taskforce tries to increase knowledge in this area.
What is animal abuse?
There are many forms of animal abuse. In short, the definition is: Unnecessarily or deliberately hurting animals or inflicting injury. This includes physical violence, from killing to torture, but also hitting, kicking or poisoning. Animals can also be sexually abused or neglected. Not taking a sick animal to the vet is obviously also abuse.
Relationship with domestic violence
It is striking that research in the United States, England and Australia, among others, shows that the causes of animal abuse are largely the same as the causes of domestic violence. In the Netherlands, various studies have also found similarities. For example, 50% of women in sheltered homes indicate that their partners also abused their pets. The (threat of) abuse of animals is also used to intimidate or blackmail the partner or other family members.
Power and control
Animal abuse can be a warning sign that domestic violence is the next step, but it can also coexist. In this sense, the presence of animal abuse points to the possibility that domestic violence may also occur. Both crimes often have the same basis: wanting to have power and control over someone (animal or human) who cannot or only poorly defend themselves.
Lack of social skills
Perpetrators of domestic violence can be extremely aggressive and physical. They are often also very interested in making their partner dependent, or in a pathological way wanting to control everything the other person does. Isolating from the outside world is also common. They need such resources to keep their partner with them. They lack the social skills for normal social contacts and intimate relationships. A third type of perpetrator seems to feel remorse after a physical outburst and promises the partner never to do it again. Until the pressure becomes too much again and he makes another mistake.
Animal abuse reporting code
Veterinarians see sufficient examples of suspected animal abuse in their practice. Until recently they did little with it. Mainly because they had difficulty gathering sufficient evidence, their knowledge was inadequate or they did not have good protocols to follow. In 2010, the professional association for veterinarians KNMvD (Royal Dutch Society for Veterinary Medicine) was asked to write a reporting code for animal abuse and domestic violence. It has been there since April 2011.
No reporting obligation
The reporting code is not a reporting obligation, but it is a good step in the right direction. An important part of the reporting code is the possible relationship between animal abuse and domestic violence. If this is suspected, veterinarians are advised to discuss these suspicions with, for example, general practitioners or care providers from the Domestic Violence Support Center.
Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty Task Force
In addition, the Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse Taskforce has been created, in which the KNMvD also participates. This Taskforce raises awareness of human care providers and veterinarians about the link between domestic violence and animal abuse. The aim is to prevent a lot of suffering through prevention or at least early detection. The Taskforce stimulates mutual cooperation by transferring knowledge and establishing cross-links between human and veterinary care.
Confirm suspicions of domestic violence
With more knowledge about animal abuse, care providers from, for example, the Domestic Violence Support Center can also better assess whether there is domestic violence during a home visit. The behavior of the animals (shy, anxious) already speaks volumes. The health status of the animals and how family members interact with them can also confirm existing suspicions of domestic violence and trigger appropriate follow-up action.