On October 22nd, MPs were invited to attend a charity event in Parliament to show support for those affected by domestic abuse where pets are involved.
The drop-in event was hosted by Gloucestershire-based animal welfare charity, Naturewatch Foundation, and the All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG). Attending MPs were:
Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour
Jess Asato, Labour
Alex Brewer, Liberal Democrats
Jess Brown-Fuller, Liberal Democrats
Mims Davies, Conservative
Marsha de Cordova, Labour
Rosie Duffield, Independent
Cat Eccles, Labour
Will Forster, Liberal Democrats
Sir Roger Gale, Conservative
Marie Goldman, Liberal Democrats
Claire Hanna, Social Democratic and Labour Party
Rebecca Harris, Conservative
Tom Hayes, Labour
Ruth Jones, Labour
Alex Mayer, Labour
Caroline Nokes, Conservative
Joshua Reynolds, Liberal Democrats
Greg Stafford, Conservative
Robin Swann, Ulster Unionist Party
Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrats
Naturewatch Foundation highlighted that pets are often used to coercively control victims of domestic abuse. Perpetrators threaten to torture or kill animals in a bid to manipulate their victim, who often delay leaving to protect their pet. This increases the danger and adds pressure to already-stretched safeguarding resources.
As part of their ‘Protect Animals. Protect People’ campaign, the charity recommends:
Adding animal abuse awareness to the domestic abuse prevention toolkit, and
Increasing support for the animal victims of domestic abuse.
The campaign was launched to complement Naturewatch Foundation’s work aimed at breaking ‘the link’ between animal and domestic abuse. It formed the basis of their existing projects across Eastern Europe and, in June 2023, the charity extended the campaign into England and Wales. Since the launch, 95% of police websites across England and Wales have been changed and now offer advice to survivors of abuse where animals are involved. Police policies and training programmes have also been adapted.
Naturewatch Foundation’s campaign manager, Mark Randell, said: “We sincerely thank the MPs who attended our event and backed our campaign to improve support for domestic abuse victims who have pets. It was really encouraging to see cross-party concern regarding the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse.
“Domestic abuse makes up 18% of ALL recorded crime. Abusers understand the special bond that exists between a person and a pet. Targeting that relationship is a way they can coercively control, in the same way that they cut their victim off from their family, friends, and financial independence. Tackling animal abuse should form part of any strategy to tackle domestic abuse, and a multi-agency approach is crucial. By ‘breaking the link’ and protecting animals, we can make people safer too.”
For more information on Naturewatch Foundation’s ‘Protect Animals. Protect People’ campaign, please visit their website – naturewatch.org
If you are affected by the issues covered in this article, there is help available:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Dogs Trust Freedom - 0800 298 9199
Cats Protection Lifeline - 03000 121212
Refuge4Pets - 0300 4000 121
Endeavour project - 01204 394 842
This is an issue that will resonate for many people this Christmas and beyond, which is why That's Christmas has decided to promote this issue.