The Connection Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence
As the former NYS VAWA Administrator, my staff members and I held three workshops across the state several years ago on the intersection of Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse. We invited prosecutors, law enforcement, DV advocates, animal protective services, DV and animal shelter personnel to attend. We held a workshop in NYC, one in rural Western NY, and one in a suburban area. Over 200 people attended these events. We learned of the alarming statistics regarding children who witness or receive abuse, children who abuse animals, and children who grow up to become adult abusers of violent crime. We also learned how often abusers threaten or harm animals as a form of coercion over their human victim.
Dr. Harry Hovel from the NYS Humane Association presented at the workshops. I recently came across the document below and thought it may be helpful in your work as VAWA Administrators.
Kim Oppelt
AVA Consultant
The Connection Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence