Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse Angela Scott, J.D. Winona State University [email protected]

Child Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence,Domestic Violence,and Animal Abuseand Animal Abuse

Angela Scott, J.D.Angela Scott, J.D.Winona State UniversityWinona State University

[email protected]@winona.edu507-457-2892507-457-2892

AgendaAgenda Historical perspectiveHistorical perspective 4 major themes from the research4 major themes from the research

A continuum of abuseA continuum of abuse Animal abuse by childrenAnimal abuse by children An indicator of child abuseAn indicator of child abuse Therapeutic potential Therapeutic potential

A note on elder abuseA note on elder abuse Practical implications of the researchPractical implications of the research ResourcesResources

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

““Outright cruelty to animals was wrong Outright cruelty to animals was wrong because it produced violence because it produced violence

toward humans.”toward humans.”

Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas


““Those who delight in the suffering and Those who delight in the suffering and destruction of inferior creatures will destruction of inferior creatures will

not be apt to be very compassionate not be apt to be very compassionate or benign to those of their own or benign to those of their own

species.”species.”

John LockeJohn Locke17051705


““Childhood cruelty to animals may be a Childhood cruelty to animals may be a precursor to antisocial behavior in precursor to antisocial behavior in

adulthood.”adulthood.”

Margaret MeadMargaret Mead

19641964

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective 1865 - Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals1865 - Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals 1874 - Society to Prevent Cruelty to Children1874 - Society to Prevent Cruelty to Children 1930s - Social Security Act – federal government 1930s - Social Security Act – federal government

recognizes an interest in protecting children from recognizes an interest in protecting children from abuse abuse

1944 - Prince v. Massachusetts - S Ct. confirms 1944 - Prince v. Massachusetts - S Ct. confirms the state’s authority to intervene in the family to the state’s authority to intervene in the family to protect children.protect children.

1962 - Dr. C. Henry Kempe authors The Battered 1962 - Dr. C. Henry Kempe authors The Battered Child Syndrome – child abuse an independent Child Syndrome – child abuse an independent diagnosisdiagnosis

1967 - Mandated Reporting Laws all 50 states1967 - Mandated Reporting Laws all 50 states 1970s - MR Laws expand to include sexual abuse1970s - MR Laws expand to include sexual abuse

4 Major Themes from the 4 Major Themes from the Research Research

Animal Abuse as part of a continuum of abuse Animal Abuse as part of a continuum of abuse within the familywithin the family

Animal abuse perpetrated by children who Animal abuse perpetrated by children who show later aggressive and deviant behaviorshow later aggressive and deviant behavior

Animal abuse as an indicator of the existence Animal abuse as an indicator of the existence of child abuseof child abuse

The therapeutic potential of animals in child The therapeutic potential of animals in child development and within post abuse workdevelopment and within post abuse work

Becker and French 2004Becker and French 2004

A Continuum of AbuseA Continuum of Abuse

23 families in one social service area 23 families in one social service area who were reported for animal abusewho were reported for animal abuse

82% of the families were also known to 82% of the families were also known to social services and the children were social services and the children were considered at riskconsidered at risk

60% of families were known to probation60% of families were known to probation

Hutton (1980)Hutton (1980)


53 families - NJ division of Youth and Family 53 families - NJ division of Youth and Family ServicesServices

In 88% of families where there was evidence of In 88% of families where there was evidence of physical abuse to child there was also animal physical abuse to child there was also animal abuse.abuse.

In approximately 2/3 of pet abusing homes the In approximately 2/3 of pet abusing homes the father was abusive toward petsfather was abusive toward pets

In approximately 1/3 of pet abusing homes In approximately 1/3 of pet abusing homes children were abusive toward petschildren were abusive toward pets

DeViney et al (1983)DeViney et al (1983)


Adults and children 10 times more likely Adults and children 10 times more likely to be bitten in abusive hometo be bitten in abusive home

69% of families reporting animal abuse 69% of families reporting animal abuse also reported animal had harmed a also reported animal had harmed a person.person.

Only 6% of families in non abuse group Only 6% of families in non abuse group reported animal harmed a personreported animal harmed a person

DeViney et al (1983)DeViney et al (1983)


21 Refuges for women 21 Refuges for women 44% of abused women reported that their 44% of abused women reported that their

partners had abused or killed family pets partners had abused or killed family pets 43% of the women reported that concern 43% of the women reported that concern

for their pets’ welfare prevented them for their pets’ welfare prevented them from leaving the relationship earlier.from leaving the relationship earlier.

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (2000)(2000)


100 battered women / compared with a group 100 battered women / compared with a group of women in non-violent homesof women in non-violent homes

50% of battered women reported their partner 50% of battered women reported their partner had hurt or killed petshad hurt or killed pets

5% of non battered women reported partner 5% of non battered women reported partner had hurt or killed petshad hurt or killed pets

Almost 25% reported that they delayed leaving Almost 25% reported that they delayed leaving because of concern for animals.because of concern for animals.

Ascione (2000)Ascione (2000)


101 victims of domestic violence101 victims of domestic violence These victims were 11 times more likely to These victims were 11 times more likely to

report that their partner had hurt of killed a report that their partner had hurt of killed a pet than a comparison group with no intimate pet than a comparison group with no intimate partner violencepartner violence

If a pet was threatened or harmed, 34% If a pet was threatened or harmed, 34% delayed entering shelter out of concern for delayed entering shelter out of concern for pet.pet.

Ascione et al 2007Ascione et al 2007


Domestic violence Domestic violence Animal abuse used to gain control Animal abuse used to gain control Animal abuse used to gain silence.Animal abuse used to gain silence.

Ascione (1998), Arkow (1996), Firmani (1997)Ascione (1998), Arkow (1996), Firmani (1997)

Continuum of AbuseContinuum of Abuse

Sexual abuse survivors revealSexual abuse survivors reveal Pets used to gain controlPets used to gain control Pets used to ensure their silencePets used to ensure their silence Adams (1998)Adams (1998)

Batterers who also abuse animalsBatterers who also abuse animals More controllingMore controlling Used more dangerous forms of violence Used more dangerous forms of violence

including: sexual violence, marital rape including: sexual violence, marital rape emotional violence and stalkingemotional violence and stalking

Simmons and Lehman (2007)Simmons and Lehman (2007)


Continuum of AbuseContinuum of Abuse

860 college students in 3 universities in 860 college students in 3 universities in California, Ohio and NebraskaCalifornia, Ohio and Nebraska

60% who witnessed or perpetrated 60% who witnessed or perpetrated animal abuse cruelty as a child also animal abuse cruelty as a child also reported experience with child reported experience with child maltreatment or domestic violencemaltreatment or domestic violence

DeGue and DiLillo (2009)DeGue and DiLillo (2009)







Animal Abuse by ChildrenAnimal Abuse by Children

Animal abuse may be a form of rehearsal Animal abuse may be a form of rehearsal for human directed violence.for human directed violence.

Becker and French (2004)Becker and French (2004)


28 incarcerated sexual homicide 28 incarcerated sexual homicide perpetratorsperpetrators

36% committed acts of animal cruelty in 36% committed acts of animal cruelty in childhoodchildhood

46% committed acts of animal cruelty in 46% committed acts of animal cruelty in adolescenceadolescence

Ressler et al (1988)Ressler et al (1988)


While not everyone who abuses animals While not everyone who abuses animals becomes a serial killer, virtually every becomes a serial killer, virtually every

serial killer first abused animals.serial killer first abused animals.

Mertz-Perez et al (2001)Mertz-Perez et al (2001)


Albert DeSalvo – “The Boston Strangler”Albert DeSalvo – “The Boston Strangler” Trapped cats and dogs in boxes and shot arrows Trapped cats and dogs in boxes and shot arrows

into the boxesinto the boxes

David Borkowitz “The Son of Sam”David Borkowitz “The Son of Sam” Shot neighbors Labrador RetrieverShot neighbors Labrador Retriever

Jeffrey Dahmer Jeffrey Dahmer Killed neighbors pets and impaled their heads on Killed neighbors pets and impaled their heads on

sticks in his yardsticks in his yard

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold – ColumbineEric Harris and Dylan Klebold – Columbine Mutilated catsMutilated cats


Features of childhood cruelty that are Features of childhood cruelty that are most predictive of later aggressionmost predictive of later aggression Lack of remorseLack of remorse A variety of cruel actsA variety of cruel acts Victimizing a variety of speciesVictimizing a variety of species Being cruel to socially valuable animalsBeing cruel to socially valuable animals

Dogs or cats v. ratsDogs or cats v. ratsKellert and Felthous et al (1983)Kellert and Felthous et al (1983)


Living in a violent family Living in a violent family

may lead some children may lead some children

to vent their own fear and anger to vent their own fear and anger

on those more vulnerable on those more vulnerable

than they are.than they are.AscioneAscione







An Indicator of Child An Indicator of Child abuseabuse

35% of boys who were sexually 35% of boys who were sexually abused had abused animalsabused had abused animals

5% of non abuses boys5% of non abuses boys 27% of girls who were sexually 27% of girls who were sexually

abused had abused animalsabused had abused animals 3% of non abused girls3% of non abused girls

Friedrich et al (1986), Friedrich (1992)Friedrich et al (1986), Friedrich (1992)

An Indicator of Child An Indicator of Child AbuseAbuse

12 year study12 year study 300 children who sexually abused other 300 children who sexually abused other

children and committed other violent children and committed other violent offenses.offenses.

Many of these children were molested as Many of these children were molested as childrenchildren

20% of these children had a history of 20% of these children had a history of sexually abusing animalssexually abusing animals

The Young Abusers Project Duffield et al (1998)The Young Abusers Project Duffield et al (1998)

An Indicator of Child An Indicator of Child AbuseAbuse

It has been noted that in most cases It has been noted that in most cases the sexual acts were carefully the sexual acts were carefully

planned with pet animals targeted, planned with pet animals targeted, isolated, groomed and abused isolated, groomed and abused

(rather like their child victim (rather like their child victim counterparts)counterparts)

Duffield et al (1998)Duffield et al (1998)







Therapeutic Potential Therapeutic Potential

Animal relationships can help children Animal relationships can help children move along the developmental move along the developmental

continuum and promote the continuum and promote the development of resiliencedevelopment of resilience

Gilligan (2000)Gilligan (2000)

Therapeutic Potential Therapeutic Potential

Give children warmth, recognition, Give children warmth, recognition, attentionattention

Offer Comfort - physically and Offer Comfort - physically and emotionallyemotionally

Provide friendship and companionshipProvide friendship and companionship Help children develop responsibility Help children develop responsibility

““I can do it”I can do it” Enhance empathy Enhance empathy Promote healing Promote healing

A Note on Elder AbuseA Note on Elder Abuse

Pets are often the most visible victims … Elders Pets are often the most visible victims … Elders on the other hand may be the most hidden on the other hand may be the most hidden

victims. victims.

As many as one in 10As many as one in 10

elders are abused.elders are abused.

LockwoodLockwood

A Note on Elder AbuseA Note on Elder Abuse

Elder abuse and animal abuse go together Elder abuse and animal abuse go together so often that when I see one I so often that when I see one I

automatically look for the other.automatically look for the other. Barbara FabricantBarbara Fabricant

25 year investigator of animal abuse25 year investigator of animal abuse

Practical Implications of Practical Implications of the Researchthe Research

Cross TrainingCross Training Child ProtectionChild Protection Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement ProsecutorsProsecutors Health Care ProfessionalsHealth Care Professionals VeterinariansVeterinarians Humane ServicesHumane Services Women’s SheltersWomen’s Shelters Child Advocacy CentersChild Advocacy Centers JudiciaryJudiciary Adult ProtectionAdult Protection And othersAnd others


Cross ReportingCross Reporting 9 states have cross reporting legislation as of 9 states have cross reporting legislation as of

July 2007July 2007 California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Ohio, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Ohio,

Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, West VirginiaLouisiana, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, West Virginia

Additional legislation pending in Additional legislation pending in District of Columbia, New York, Ohio, District of Columbia, New York, Ohio,

Massachusetts, Massachusetts, DeGue and DiLillo (2009)DeGue and DiLillo (2009)


Animal inclusion in protective orderAnimal inclusion in protective order 9 states 9 states

Maine, New York, Tennessee, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, New York, Tennessee, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, NevadaIllinois, Connecticut, Vermont, Nevada

Legislation pending in Legislation pending in California, New Jersey, District of ColumbiaCalifornia, New Jersey, District of Columbia

DeGue and DiLillo (2009)DeGue and DiLillo (2009)


Forensic Interviews with childrenForensic Interviews with children Ask children about their petsAsk children about their pets Excellent way to build rapportExcellent way to build rapport Ask are pets happy / safe?Ask are pets happy / safe? How does your pet learn to do something How does your pet learn to do something

good?good? What happens if your pet does something What happens if your pet does something

wrong?wrong?


Caregiver interviewCaregiver interview Ask about pets in the home Ask about pets in the home Has child witnesses violence toward people Has child witnesses violence toward people

or pets?or pets? Has child intentionally caused harm or injury Has child intentionally caused harm or injury

to pet?to pet?

Home visitsHome visits How are pets treated in the home?How are pets treated in the home? How do they respond while you are present?How do they respond while you are present?


Break the Cycle of abuse! Break the Cycle of abuse! As soon as possibleAs soon as possible If you find one form of violence, look for If you find one form of violence, look for

other forms of violenceother forms of violence Offer counseling Offer counseling

Specialized counseling from professional trained Specialized counseling from professional trained to deal with the issues of abuseto deal with the issues of abuse

ResourcesResources Safe Havens for Pet by Frank Ascione (2000)Safe Havens for Pet by Frank Ascione (2000)

http://www.vachss.com/guest_dispatches/safe_havens.html

American HumaneAmerican Humane www.americanhumane.org

Humane Society of the United StatesHumane Society of the United States www.hsus.org/firststrike

__

ResourcesResources

50 Strategies to Prevent Violent 50 Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic CrimeDomestic Crime http://mcgruffstore.org/50strattopre.html

““Whatever you can do Whatever you can do

or dream you can, begin it. or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, Boldness has genius,

power and magic in itpower and magic in it..

Begin it, begin it now”Begin it, begin it now”

GoetheGoethe

Documents

Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse Angela Scott, J.D. Winona State University [email protected]