Protecting Animals, Protecting People: What’s it got to do with me?

The Links Group works closely alongside allied professionals in the fields of animal welfare and safeguarding of people.

There is considerable evidence highlighting the significance of the human-animal bond, its promotion of physical and emotional health, and its influence upon decision making for individuals and families.  The strength of the bond also makes it vulnerable to manipulation and abuse.

‘The Link’ between domestic abuse, child sexual abuse and animal abuse has long been known.  In 88% of families investigated for physical child abuse, animal abuse was reported.  A 2019 UK survey indicated that 97% of domestic abuse professionals believe that threats to pets are used as a tool to attempt to coerce and control someone.  A recent freedom of information request from England and Wales found that in over 1,000 cases, 73% of offenders found with child sexual abuse imagery were also found to have images of animal sexual abuse.

This webinar offers an introduction to “The Link” between the abuse of animals and people and how child protection professionals can respond safely and appropriately whilst providing support in these circumstances.

It will help you to better understand:

• ‘The Link’ between the abuse of animals and the abuse of people, including research relating to domestic abuse-related deaths and child sexual abuse
• Why attention to the human-animal bond matters to child protection professionals
• How ‘the link’ is relevant in social work and how animals are used as a strategy of coercive control
• Strategies for developing a human and animal-centred practice framework
• Legislation relating to this area, including upcoming amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill.