Abstract
The relationship between cruelty to animals and the abuse of women and children has been informally recognized throughout history (Ascione & Arkow, 1999). A folk proverb advised, “A woman, a horse, and a hickory tree; The more you beat ‘em, the better they be” (cited in Adams, 1995). Similarly, George Cannon, leader of the Church of Latter Day Saints in the 1890s, warned, “Young ladies, never put yourself in the power or under the control of young men who treat their animals badly, for if you become their wives, they will abuse you” (cited in Quinlisk, 1999). More recently, popular belief in a link between animal- and human-directed violence has been codified in state legislation establishing cross-reporting systems that permit or require animal cruelty and child welfare investigators to refer families to parallel agencies for investigation (Long, Long, & Kulkarni, 2007). Such laws are based on the assumption that families experiencing one form of violence victimization will be at an increased risk for other forms of violence (DeGue & DiLillo, 2009). This chapter provides an overview of current knowledge regarding the extent and nature of this overlap, discusses possible explanations for the exposure of family members (human and nonhuman) to multiple types of violence victimization, and highlights potential implications for prevention and early intervention.
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Notes
- 1.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines child maltreatment as any act of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that result in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child, including child physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, or neglect (Leeb, Paulozzi, Melanson, Simon, & Arias, 2007). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined by CDC as physical, sexual, or psychological harm, or threats of harm, by a current or former partner or spouse (Saltzman, Fanslow, McMahon, & Shelley, 2002). Definitions and measures of child maltreatment and IPV vary across the studies reviewed here. When possible, substantial deviations from these definitions are noted.
- 2.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is perpetrated by and against both male and female partners. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest that a proportion of the partner violence that occurs is reciprocal (Kelly & Johnson, 2008). Also, IPV can and does occur in the context of same-sex relationships (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). However, due to the nature of the existing literature in this area, which focuses heavily on female victims of male perpetrators in domestic violence shelters, women are sometimes referred to in this chapter as the primary victims of violence within the home. Male victims of IPV may also be exposed to animal abuse perpetrated by their male or female partners. Additional research is needed to examine the experiences of male IPV victims.
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DeGue, S. (2011). A Triad of Family Violence: Examining Overlap in the Abuse of Children, Partners, and Pets. In: Blazina, C., Boyraz, G., Shen-Miller, D. (eds) The Psychology of the Human-Animal Bond. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9761-6_14
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