These issues will be the focus of a symposium at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) on 23 February, Links Between Family Violence and Animal Abuse: Learning from Theory and Practice, which will bring together leading researcher Professor Nik Taylor, co-director of the New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies at UC, and practitioners from Lucy’s Project (Australia), Safe Pets, Safe Families Australia and Pet Refuge NZ to share evidence, insights and practical approaches.
“Recognising the links between violence towards domestic animals and violence towards people improves detection, intervention and prevention,” Professor Taylor says. “It’s not just about adding animals into the conversation — it’s about reshaping how we understand and respond to violence more broadly.”
For more than two decades, international studies have shown that people who abuse animals are significantly more likely to abuse people — and often more severely. Professor Taylor has helped bring that evidence into human and animal welfare practice.
“Our research has highlighted the need for violence against animals to be taken seriously by the criminal justice system and by human services,” Professor Taylor says.
“It has also strengthened the case for pet-friendly refuges and services, for recognising animals as victims in their own right, and for a whole-of-system response that brings human and animal welfare sectors together.”
The impact is already visible.
There is increased awareness across animal and human welfare organisations of the links between violence towards people and domestic animals. More refuges are becoming pet-friendly, and specialist services such as Pet Refuge in Aotearoa New Zealand and Safe Pets, Safe Families in Australia have been established to support animals affected by domestic violence.
Professor Taylor says the relationship between research and practice is critical.
“Frontline practitioners have long understood the importance of the human–animal bond. Research gives weight to that lived experience and helps translate it into policy and systemic change,” she says.
Recent national and international roundtables, including those led by Lucy’s Project in Australia, have brought together researchers including Professor Taylor, service providers and policymakers to identify gaps and strengthen collaboration.
These discussions inform future research projects, says Monique Dam, CEO of Lucy’s Project.
"Lucy's Project brings together researchers and practitioners to share better practices for supporting women, children and animals experiencing family violence and draws on research to provide advice to governments to drive legal, policy and program reform.
“The symposium is an invaluable opportunity to collaborate across sectors to develop evidence-based solutions to create a world where every woman, child and animal is safe."
Both research and practice show more needs to be done.
This includes routinely asking about harm to domestic animals during service intake, strengthening understanding of how different forms of family violence intersect — including child, elder, partner and domestic animal abuse — and providing more training for professionals in both human and animal welfare services.
Housing policy is another critical area. A lack of pet-friendly rental accommodation can prevent people from leaving violent homes, forcing them to choose between their own safety and that of their companion animals.
Another emerging focus is cross-reporting systems, where animal welfare investigators can safely share concerns with human services, and vice versa. Further research is needed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of such approaches in Aotearoa New Zealand.
More information:
New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies
The New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies (NZCHAS) brings together scholars from the humanities and social sciences whose research and teaching is concerned with the conceptual and material treatment of nonhuman animals in culture, society and history.
Lucy’s Project:
Lucy’s Project (Australia) is committed to driving systemic change through advocacy for policy, programs and legislative reform. Here you’ll find a snapshot of the vital work being done to ensure people and animals experiencing domestic and family violence can access the supports they need to be safe.
Pet Refuge NZ:
Pet Refuge NZ provides free, safe, temporary shelter for pets of families escaping domestic violence,
ensuring pets are cared for while owners find safety.
Safe Pets, Safe Families Australia:
Safe Pets, Safe Families programs help protect both vulnerable family members and their pets by providing shelters, foster care and community support.
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