The Cycle of Violence: Phil Arkow The Connection between Violence to
Humans and Animals (A Species-Spanning Approach ) Phil Arkow Coordinator National Link Coalition Stratford, NJ Inaugural Presidents Council Lecture Animal Rescue League of Boston Oct. 28, 2014 How I Got Here The provocative research study. The curious teacher
The fateful after-dinner speech. The curious teacher training. How to Shift a Paradigm:
Recognize Animal Welfares Impact on Healthy People and Healthy Communities Animal cruelty is more than just a legal issue. Its a community issue. If you improve animal welfare in a community, you improve public safety for everyone. -- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Our Basic Premises We can prevent animal abuse and other forms of family violence by paying more attention to animal abuse as a potential indicator and predictor crime. Measures to prevent, prosecute and punish animal cruelty are just as beneficial to Man (and Woman) as they are to Mans Best Friend. What is The Link? When animals are abused, people are at risk;
When people animals are at risk. Witness Perpetrate Sexual abuse Family violence Animal fighting Neglect pet Neglect self Hoarding Manipulate Intimidate Retaliate Emotional blackmail Hostages Types of Links Potential Indicator/Predictor Crimes
1.Emotional blackmail to humiliate, intimidate, or retaliate 2.Battered women are afraid to leave home: partner will kill pets; no one to care for them Domestic Violence Sexual Abuse 3. To coerce children into sexual acts or silence Child Development 4.Children commit or witness animal cruelty: lifelong, devastating emotional results Hoarding 5.Pathological altruism; often elderly Animal Fighting 6.Dog/cock fights (31%) Why should animal abuse be taken seriously?
IDs people engaging in other crimes Exposes family violence Humane investigators often first responders, first social services access to a family in crisis Indicator that children at risk to themselves and to others Witnesses or victims more comfortable talking about it Begins early in childhood (median age: 61/2) Animal abuse inflicts pain and suffering on victims Why should animal abuse be taken seriously?
History of animal abuse or neglect in 21.1% offatal dog bites Frequently co-occurred with: Dog not spayed/neutered Compromised ability of victim to interact with dog Dog a resident rather than familypet Preventable factors more significant than dogs breed. (Patronek et. al, JAVMA, 2013) Why are people cruel to animals?
As many reasons as for interpersonal violence, including: Ignorance and inability to empathize Inadequate coping skills (more sensitive to stress and strain; pets behavior releases frustration and anger) Socialized to abuse Believe abuse is justified and beneficial (power & control) Entitlement (animals not worth moral consideration) Personality dysfunction, poor impulse control Religious and regional subcultures Reasons for Deliberate Cruelty or
Killing of Animals by CHILDREN: All of the above, plus Curiosity or exploration Peer pressure Relieve boredom or depression Fear of the animal Coercion by a more powerful person To protect the animal from worse abuse Re-enacting their own experience of being abused Regaining a sense of power after abuse Imitating adult actions Rehearsal for interpersonal violence How we view our pets has changed dramatically
More homes have pets than children pets than children More money on pet food than baby food More dogs in the US than people in most countries inEurope and more cats than dogs! 7th largest retail sector More likely to grow up with pets than a father How we view our pets has changed dramatically
Hurricane Katrina Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act-- Oct. 2006 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami
How we view our pets has changed dramatically Fukushima Earthquake, Tsunami, & Nuclear Meltdown, 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami How we view our pets has changed dramatically
Enhance and facilitate social capital a protective factor for community health Sense of community Catalysts for neighborly reciprocity Motivation to use public spaces Encourage recreation PROMOTE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Challenges Challenge AVMA: U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics
Sourcebook, 2012 Challenges Traditional Family Systems Theory Community
Extended family Parent(s) Child(ren) Challenge Pet(s) Cruelty Animal control Vets Challenges More Appropriate Family Systems Theory Community
Extended family Parent(s) Child(ren) Challenge resolved! Pet(s) Case studies Animal welfare investigators
are often the first responders A 4 year-old is beaten to death; a pastor and family vanish -- Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 11, 1999 Case studies Animals are harmed to control battered women Animal abuse Arson Bedwetting How has The Link been studied? 1970s:
TheTriad of behaviors found in childhood histories of many killers Animal abuse Arson Bedwetting How has The Link been studied?
The Tangled Web s David Berkowitz Son of Sam Albert DeSalvo Boston Strangler The Rogues Gallery continues Ted Bundy Lee Malvo Donald Rader The BTK Killer Brian David Mitchell (Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart) Clues to a Dark Nurturing Ground for One Serial Killer
-- New York Times, Aug. 7, 1991 Jeffrey Dahmer Jeffrey and his dog Frisky 43% have histories of animal abuse
How has The Link been studied? 1990s: School-yard shooters: 43% have histories of animal abuse Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold Kip Kinkle How has The Link been studied?
Fire setting Bullying Other criminal acts Corporal punishment Physical and/or sexual abuse Exposure to domestic violence Exposure to animal abuse 2000s Risk Factors Linked With Animal Abuse Becker, Steuwig, Herrera & McCloskey, 2004: A Study of Firesetting and Animal Cruelty in Children: Family Influences & Adolescent Outcomes Henry & Sanders (2007): Bullying and Animal Abuse: Is there a Connection? Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence?
153 cruelty offenders: tracked for 10 years before &10 years after matched with control group Criminal offenses: Animal abusers: 70% Non-abusers: 22% Conclusion: Animal abuse doesnt always lead to human violence, but were not surprised when there is a Link Source: Northeastern University Animal Abuse & Child Abuse
The Little Mary Ellen Case (1874) Henry Bergh Founder ASPCA Animal Abuse & Child Abuse
- 60% of pet-owning families Investigated for child abuse or neglect also had abused or neglected pets Animal abuse occurred in 88% of families with physical child abuse - Bite rate was 11x greater Use of veterinary services similar to general population Source: DeViney, Dickert & Lockwood, 1983 Animal Abuse & Child Abuse
Children are especially drawn to animals and often confide their secrets, fears and angers to their pets; abused children more likely to do this.Pets may be childrens only friends in chaotic homes and may help buffer against maladjustment. Source: Melson, 2001; Robin, ten Bensel, Quigley & Anderson, 1984; Risley-Curtiss et al., 2006; Strand, 2004 Animal Abuse & Child Abuse
Childrens literature & media saturated with animals First words in toddlers vocabularies Fairy tales have more animals than fairies 80-90% of children firstexperience loss through pets Gail F. Melson: Why the Wild Things Are (2001) Animal Abuse & Child Abuse
Pet-keeping is a pivotal point of childhood identification and part of the construct of childhood memories. A growing body of evidence suggests that bonds formed or broken with companion animals reverberate and resonate across the lifespan. (Jalongo, 2004) Witnessing animal cruelty can be as emotionally devastating to a child as perpetrating it . (DeGue & DeLillo, 2008) Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence?
Aggressive Behavior in Children Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence? WHAT WEKNOW:Child aggressive behavior Stable and predictable by age 8 Often predicts serious anti-social behavior in adulthood Transmitted across generations Early sign of conduct disorder (61/2 years) (Shapiro, 2011; McPhedran, 2009) Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence?
Aggressive Behavior in Children Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence? WHAT WE DONT KNOW: Causal or co-relational? Graduation hypothesis? General deviance? Context of home environment and abusive experiences? Something else? All of the above? (Shapiro, 2011; McPhedran, 2009) Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Impact of IPV on children:
There is no safe place Adults cant protect themselves or us Child takes on responsibility of protecting the victims Ambivalent feelings over abuser/parent Chronic fear leads to aggression In homes with domestic violence, risk of co-occurring child abuse 45% - 60%;children abused 15x higher than norm --Betsy McAlister Groves, Child Witness to Violence Project, Boston MA, 2004 Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence
32% --children had hurt or killed animals (Ascione, 1998) 71% -- partner killed, harmed or threatened animal Incidents occurred: In presence of women 87% In presence of children 75%(Quinlisk, 1994) 18% - 48% of women dont leave Ascione (2007) One of 4 most significant risk factors of becoming a batterer Walton-Moss, Manganello, Frye & Campbell (2005) Batterers who also abuse pets use more forms of violence andare more dangerous Simmons, C.A. & Lehman, P. (2007) 41% of IPV offenders had committed at least 1 act of animal abuse since age of 18 (Rate in general pop.: 1.5%) (Febres et al., 2014) Animal Abuse and the Duluth Model of Power & Control
Isolation: Refusing to allow you to take your pet to your vet. Prohibiting you from socializing your dog with other dogs. Emotional abuse: Calling your pet names, or giving away or killing a pet to take away your primary source of comfort and unconditional love. Coercion and Threats: Threatening to harm or kill your pet if you leave or assert any independence. Economic Abuse: Refusing to allow you to spend money on adequate pet food and/or vet care (then blaming you when the neglect is noticed by authorities). Legal Abuse: Trying to take possession of a pet for which you have been the primary caretaker. Filing charges of pet theft against you if you leave with the pet. Intimidation: Harming or killing a pet and threatening that the same thing will happen to you if you dont comply with the abusers demands. Minimizing, Denying & Blaming: Blaming you or your pet for the cruelty. Killing a pet and then saying that it doesnt matter because the pet was old. Using Children: Harming or killing the childrens pet to intimidate them. Blaming the disappearance of the family pet on you to create a wedge between you and the children. The Animal Abuse/Domestic Violence
Inter-Generational Cycle of Violence Animal Abuse The Wake-Up Call
Many victims blames themselves for the abuse and are isolated from others who can provide a reality check. Animal cruelty is a wake-up call that the fault lies not within themselves, but in the personality of the abuser. Animal Abuse and Elder Abuse
Animal Welfare Issues for Social/Adult Protective Services Neglect of pet Neglect self to care for pet Coercion & control Attachment and pet loss Safety of caseworker, home health aide, or homemaker services Animal hoarding Animal Abuse and Elder Abuse
Four Types of Animal Hoarders Animals provide acceptance, sense of self-worth, conflict-free relationships 1. Mental illness Attachment disorders? Depression? Obsession-Compulsion Disorder? Agoraphobia? Anxiety? Schizophrenia? Alzheimers? 2. Overwhelmed: good intentions gone bad; the go-to lady. 3. Rescuers: only ones who can care for them, state of denial, identity tied to possession, deep mistrust of others. 4. Exploiters: greed or criminal intent. Animal Abuse and Law Enforcement
History of animal abuse a better predictor of sexual assault than previous convictions for homicide, arson or firearms offenses 35% of search warrants executed in Chicago for animal abuse or dog fighting investigations seizures of illegal drugs and/or weapons The Veterinarians Role: The Other Family Doctor
Prevent public health problems Protect others at-risk Care-giving profession Role in public health Best-trained to ID substandard care Set highest standards for animal welfare Build bridges to community groups Elevate the status of the profession To improve the well-being of animals Vets need training: To consider possibility of abuse To recognize when clients give misleading info In veterinary forensics Resolving Veterinary Concerns
Statutory: Mandate Practice Management: Guidance Peer Support:Association Policies and Codes of Conduct DVMs report Child Abuse: CA, CO (18 states: everyone mandated) DVMs report Elder Abuse: IL (Continuing) Veterinary Education:Forensics Link-based Legislative Solutions
Felony-level crimes Emerging interest in The Link Legislative Solutions
Pet Protection Orders 27 states, Wash. DC & Puerto Rico include pets in domestic violence protection orders 2012 2014 2012 2014 2014 Legislative Solutions
Federal Level Feb. 2014: Federal felony to bring a child to an animal fight (Farm Bill) Sept. 2014: FBI to add 4 categories of animal cruelty, abuse and neglect to NIBRS UCR system for 18,000 law enforcement agencies Sept. 2014: (bi-petisan) H.R. 5267 introduced to extend anti-stalking and PPO protections beyond 27 states to federal level; federal funds for pet safehouses Rep. Katherine Clark (D Mass.) Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R Fla.) Programmatic Solutions
Domestic Violence Pet Support Doggie Witness Protection Programs Safe Havens 900 womens shelters: Foster referrals SAF-T Sheltering Animals & Families Together 86 pet-friendly womens shelters (none in Massachusetts yet) $3,000 grants for construction $500 grants for vet care Programmatic Solutions
Community Link Coalitions Community LINK Coalitions and Animal Cruelty Task Forces Prosecutors Law Enforcement Cruelty investigators as first responders Programmatic Solutions
Community Awareness Baltimore: Pets in the Safety Plan Programmatic Solutions
Community Awareness Spotabuse.org Milwaukee, Wis. We Have Come a Long Way in a Short Period of Time
(1962) (1979) (1996) But Were Coming Full Circle
Humane history is based in The LINK And it started here in Massachusetts! OFF THE BRUITE CREATURE 92. No man shall exercise any Tirranny or Crueltie towards any bruite Creature which are usuallie kept for mans use. -- Massachusetts Bay Colonys Body of Liberties Humane history is based in The LINK First Link prosecutions: 1649
(Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony) William Flint charged with beating a bull and cow and his son at one time in a cruel manner Ann Haggett fined for beating her child and calf in a cruel manner with an ax Humane history is based in The LINK
1786 Founding of the Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (3rd oldest charity in the state) for the recovery of persons who meet with such accidents as to produce in them the appearance of death, and for promoting the cause of humanity, by pursuing such means as shall have for their object the preservation of human life and the alleviation of its miseries. Humane history is based in The LINK
The humane society is the greatest friend of hunted animals. No humane being, past the thoughtless age of boyhood, will wantonly murder any creature which holds its life by the same tenure that he does.- Walden (1854) Henry David Thoreau Shipwrecked seamen may seek shelter in Charity or Humane Houses on beaches of Barnstable County. Of a little boy who poached 80 swallows eggs from their nests:Tell it not to the Humane Society. - Cape Cod (1865) Photographer, artist, writer Founder, RI Humane Ed. Assn.
Humane history is based in The LINK The humane education movement is a broad one, reaching from humane treatment of animals on the one hand to peace with all nations on the otherIt implies character building. Society first said that needless suffering should be prevented; society now says that children must not be permitted to cause pain because of the effect on the children themselves. -- Sarah J. Eddy, Friends & Helpers. Boston: Ginn & Co., 1897 Sarah Jane Eddy N.E. Animal welfarist, Suffragette, Abolitionist Philanthropist Photographer, artist, writer Founder, RI Humane Ed. Assn. Humane history is based on The LINK
The ARLs Reason for Being While getting dogs and cats off the street is work worth doing, the teaching of thoughtful kindness is the work that changes families, communities, and a nation. Anna Harris Smith, Founder, Animal Rescue League of Boston How Do We Shift a Paradigm?
FAST FORWARD: How Do We Shift a Paradigm? The philosophy in the animal welfare community is switching to addressing human problems that underlie crises with animals. Animal shelters service philosophy is evolving to recognize that treating symptoms of animal welfare problems, such as animal homelessness, abuse and neglect, is only a stopgap solution: to be truly effective, underlying causes such as community and family dysfunction and violence must be addressed. (Ipsos-Reid National Urban Animal Report 2010) National Link Coalition arkowpets@snip.net - 856-627-5118
Making a Difference in Your Community: A Species-Spanning Approach to Breaking the Cycles of Violence Family violence is a matter of power and control. Often, the choice of victim is opportunistic. Whenever one member of the family is abused, all others in the family are at risk. Phil Arkow Coordinator National Link Coalition Stratford, NJ