The FBI will track animal abuse as a crime category from 2016. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is one of the largest datasets on crime in the US, comprised of information from law enforcement agencies. Previously, animal abuse was included as part of “other” crimes. Gathering data on animal abuse could improve our understanding of it.
Retrospective research and anecdotal information from adolescent and adult mass killers and serial killers indicates that some of them abused animals prior to committing violence against humans. As a result, the idea that children who abuse animals graduate to violence against humans has become popular.
But researchers also know that animal abuse is used by adult abusers as part of domestic violence. Much of the research on animal cruelty and human violence has been in the context of domestic violence. Studies have found that women in domestic violence shelters report 10 times more animal abuse than women without abusive partners. In one study, 41% of men arrested for domestic violence reported having committed animal abuse as adults.
Research indicates that abusive men use violence and threats of violence against animals to impose and enforce power and control in the context of domestic violence. They also use violence to punish animals. Children whose mothers have abusive partners become involved in animal abuse as perpetrators, by protecting animals from the adult abuser, and direct intervention to try and stop the abuser from hurting an animal.
You can learn more about the relationship between animal abuse and domestic violence in QUT’S Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence beginning semester 1 2016.
Domestic violence, animal and child protection organisations have long been aware of the connection between abuse of animals and humans. DVConnect and the RSPCA set up the Pets in Crisis Program to help abused women who were afraid to leave pets behind when leaving an abuser.
Read about how you can help the Pets in Crisis Program at the RSPCA website or DVConnect
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