PROTECTING HUMAN AND ANIMAL WELFARE SHOULD BE THE SAME CONVERSATION.

Advocates in animal welfare, domestic violence, child protection and elder abuse can be more effective by collaborating with each other – the surest path toward comprehensive and sustainable initiatives that protect the welfare of all community members. We need to engage all powerful and influential stakeholders across animal, human and environmental sectors. These include governmental policymakers on all levels, human health and social services agencies, veterinary professionals, law enforcement, prosecutors, court officials, victim services, social workers, and academic researchers.

Decades of research now expose The Link between animal abuse and other forms of family and community violence. The orchestrated harm of a pet is instrumentalized by abusers to purposefully threaten a human victim, to demonstrate power, to violate trust, to force compliance, and to create a normalized culture of violence. Acts of animal cruelty may be a precursor for human abuse, a risk factor for more severe violence, and a threat to public safety. In short, when animals are abused people are at risk, and when people are abused animals are at risk.

Recognizing, responding and cross-reporting cases of violence against animals or humans via the Link bridges these disconnects. If the prevention of animal, domestic, child or elder abuse is to gain momentum and realize its potential, it is necessary for all stakeholders, each contributing its expertise and perspective, to intensify their efforts to develop approaches that transcend disciplines and sectors to build engagement and interaction around targeted Link initiatives that better protect vulnerable people and animals.

It is necessary to build collaborations around the Link concept to fully unlock the potential of a unified approach. We accomplish this by tailoring the Link message to different, specific audiences that can be embedded into a framework that more broadly discusses animal abuse’s connections with other family and community violence and educates stakeholders on the importance of collaboration.

HOW WE ACCOMPLISH THIS:

There are many nonprofits that work to prevent child maltreatment OR domestic violence OR elder abuse OR animal cruelty.

The National Link Coalition is the ONLY nonprofit that addresses them all.

We accomplish this by:

• Promoting cross-sectoral collaborations, encouraging interdisciplinary professionals to work together.
• Educating and raising awareness, implementing educational programs and campaigns to raise awareness about the Link concept.
• Advocating for Link policies, integrating Link principles into local, national, regional, and international legislation and organizational policies.
• Encouraging investment in interdisciplinary academic research to legitimize and stimulate further Link legislation and institutional programs.
• Fostering community engagement through local and regional Link coalitions and anti-cruelty task forces that can implement community-based Link approaches.
• Developing Link skills and competencies, providing training for stakeholders to better recognize and cross-report suspected acts of abuse to counterpart agencies and implement this awareness systemically throughout their organizations.

CONCLUSION

The Link concept is an untapped opportunity for leaders in each major stakeholder group – animal care and control, domestic violence, child protection, adult protective services, veterinary and human medicine, criminal justice, law enforcement, social work, researchers, policymakers – to further their own objectives by engaging more broadly across the Link conversation. We must Link these diverse constituencies through targeted campaigns, stronger partnerships, integrated and enhanced policies, robust communication, and inclusivity efforts. Key stakeholders in the Link sectors need to connect with people from other disciplines with whom they do not normally interact, and celebrate those pioneering this important cause, so that there is a broader exchange of information, ideas and collaborative action.

WHO ARE THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE LINK LANDSCAPE?

Animal care and control agencies and advocates enforce local and state laws protecting animals and advocate for their welfare. In the course of their work they may encounter victims of domestic, child and elder abuse and become aware of other criminal acts.

Domestic violence shelters, agencies and advocates respond to victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault and advocate for their welfare. In the course of their work they may encounter animals who were harmed or threatened to intimidate and emotionally abuse human victims, and survivors who are unable to find safety because shelters do not also accommodate their beloved pets.

Child protection caseworkers and agencies intervene on behalf of child victims of maltreatment, sexual abuse and neglect. In the course of their work they may encounter children who have committed or witnessed acts of animal cruelty, and abused or dangerous animals that threaten children’s safety.

Adult protective services caseworkers and agencies intervene on behalf of elder, disabled and otherwise vulnerable adults who are victims of physical, emotional or sexual abuse and financial exploitation. In the course of their work they may encounter clients who neglect their animals, neglect themselves in order to care for their animals, animal hoarding situations, at-risk service animals aiding the disabled, and animals that are threatened by family or caregivers in a power-and-control dynamic.

Veterinarians are “the other family doctor” caring for the health of animals. In the course of their work they may encounter animals that have been abused or neglected, and clients who exhibit signs of possible abuse or neglect. They may be called upon to conduct forensic examinations and serve as expert court witnesses in animal cruelty cases.

Physicians and behavioral health professionals care for the physiological and psychological medical needs of their patients. They may encounter patients who have abused or killed animals, witnessed acts of animal cruelty, or are experiencing symptoms of animal-transmitted zoonotic diseases.

Law enforcement officers investigate local, state and federal crimes against humans and animals. In the course of their work they may encounter situations with both human and animal victims of crime.

Criminal justice and court officials receive reports of crimes against people and animals and determine appropriate prosecution and adjudication responses. In the course of their work they may encounter situations with both human and animal victims of crime and strive to resolve these cases for the optimal benefits of victims, society and justice.

Juvenile and family court judges receive evidence and adjudicate cases involving family and interpersonal violence in matters of juvenile justice, domestic violence, child maltreatment, and elder abuse. An understanding of The Link between violence against animals and violence against humans will provide improved outcomes for survivors of interpersonal violence and their animal companions.

Social workers promote social change, human development, community cohesion, and the empowerment of individuals and communities. In the course of their work they may encounter individuals and families who need counseling and support to resolve issues with their animals that impede their well-being and decision-making. They may help create therapeutic or rehabilitative programs involving animals, and advocate for larger inclusion of animal welfare in social justice policy-making and community-based initiatives.

Researchers contribute to greater understanding of the interconnectedness of human and animal interactions through peer-reviewed studies and publications in a diverse multitude of academic disciplines. Their findings often serve to define a need for legislative and programmatic responses.

Policymakers and government officials shape regulations, initiatives and laws that promote Link principles.