1. ‘Unconditional love’ – how women and animals are affected by domestic violence Catherine Tiplady Centre for Animal Welfare & Ethics, UQ Supervisors: Prof. Clive Phillips & Dr Deborah Walsh

2. What is domestic violence? Abuse between intimate partners Includes physical, verbal, sexual, emotional abuse and threats to harm people, pets, property (McDonald, 1998, Walsh, 2004) 1 in 3 women globally (WHO, 2013) Men perpetrators/women victims (ABS, 1996) “the most pervasive yet under-recognised human rights violation in the world” (Ellsberg & Heise, 2005)

3. Relevance 1 in 3 women have experienced DV (WHO, 2013) >60% of Australian households have pets (RSPCA, 2014) Workers in women’s refuges aware of involvement of pets in DV since 1970’s Research in DV/pets began in late 1990’s Concept of ‘link’ widely accepted

4. Why are pets involved? As a method of psychological control eg ‘if you leave me I’ll kill your cat’ Women delay leaving due to concern for pets Finding safe, pet friendly housing is hard

5. DV and pets 1 in 3 women were threatened - animals would be hurt/killed if she left Verbal abuse Physical abuse: kicking, hitting, throwing Neglect 85% reported animals with behavioural issues ‘Once the nervousness started, it never stopped – the dogs never became normal again…’ (survey #14) Photo: RSPCA

6. ‘Target’ animals In multi-animal households, one was usually the target of abuse Women were close to/owned Dogs more likely to be targets Abuse is not random ‘ Of the three dogs, the red cattle dog was a target, she was a target because I loved her so much ’ (survey 20)

7. Vet involvement Many vets see cases of animal abuse Believe that those who abuse their partner/children more likely to harm animals Vets are seeing cases of animal abuse linked to DV But don’t feel adequately trained in DV/pet abuse issues. (Green & Gullone, 2005; Tiplady et al)

8. Human survivors of DV Vets not seen as useful support ‘judgmental’, ‘disinterested’ Pet foster services valued Informed DV workers valued Close emotional bond with pets Distressing to be separated

9. Human/animal bond Shared experience of surviving DV Strong bond between women and pets Animals may be protective of women, clingy, see woman as source of security ‘Unconditional love’ In USA women/pets housed together

10. How can we help? Listen without judgment Don’t criticise partner Anyone can be in violent relationship Know support options for humans/pets - RSPCA/AWL - DVConnect Qld 1800 811 811 - Mensline 1800 600 636 - 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732

11. How can we help? Foster an animal from DV home (Pets not housed at DV shelters) Fundraising/donations Raising awareness Talking about DV/pets ‘Are you ok? Are you and your pets safe?’

12. Summary Pets are important source of support to people during/after violent relationship We need to start the conversation Pet fostering saves lives! catherine.tiplady@uqconnect.edu.au

13. Video from Rose Brooks USA

14. References Ellsberg MC, Heise L. Researching violence against women: a practical guide for researchers and activists. World Health Organization, Washington DC, 2005;9. Tiplady, C.M., Walsh, D.B. & Phillips, CJC (2012), ‘Intimate partner violence and companion animal welfare’, Australian Veterinary Journal Jan-Feb. Tiplady, C. (2013) ‘Animal Abuse: Helping Animals and People’ (book) published CABI, Oxfordshire, England. Australian Bureau of Statistics Australian Women’s Safety Study 1996 www.abs.gov.au/ausstatswww.abs.gov.au/ausstats Ascione, F.R., 1998. Battered women’s reports of their partners’ and their children’s cruelty to animals. Journal of Emotional Abuse 1, 119-133 Flynn, C.P., 2000. Woman’s best friend: Pet abuse and the role of companion animals in the lives of battered women. Violence Against Women 6, 162-177. WHO (2013) Violence Against Women, Fact Sheet no. 239, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/ McDonald H. What’s in a name? Definitions and domestic violence. Discussion paper no. 1. Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre,Melbourne, Australia,1998. Walsh DB. Silent suffering: the extent, level and nature of violence against women during pregnancy. A study of 400 Australian women. PhD Thesis, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2004. Green PC, Gullone E. Knowledge and attitudes of Australian veterinarians to animal abuse and human interpersonal violence. Aust Vet J 2000;83:619–625. Allie Phillips SAF-T program, more info at alliephillips.com/saf-tprogram Thanks to all the amazing women and vets who have been interviewed by me for my research! Thanks to DVConnect and RSPCA Pets In Crisis for their assistance. Thanks to Rose Brooks for letting me use their awesome video.