It’s common for abusers to use the threat of violence, torture or death against their victim’s animals as a means of control. 

Many victims stay with their abusers to protect their animals.

Christine Craik was in an abusive marriage for 13 years and says her husband used her love for animals to prevent her and her children from leaving him.

Ms Craik told ABC News that she wanted to leave but had nowhere to take her animals and was scared about what may happen to them.

"Fairly early on I think he realised he could control me if he hurt the animals, or looked like he was going to hurt the animals."

"It would be nothing for him to punch them, kick them and try to brand them. He actually mortally wounded one of our golden retrievers. I got my worst injuries trying to stop him hurting our cat."

"You can't leave your animals to that type of punishment.”

Often injured in violent family abuse: victims stay in dangerous situations to protect their pets.

 

Pets at Risk program

According to Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre in Victoria, nearly two-thirds of women who had experienced violence from their partner in their home moved out as an end to the relationship.

The only option for many of these women is rental accommodation.  

Women escaping domestic violence face great difficulty in having rental applications accepted, as many women who have survived family violence are sole parents with young children and pets. Often they have a limited rental history or lack of income.

Safe Steps Chief Executive, Annette Gillespie, says Ms Craik's story was a common one.

The Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre in Melbourne receives 90,000 calls for help each year. 

Around 10% of the people who call are concerned for the safety of their pets with the animals already injured in about 40% of those cases.

The Victorian State Government started funding a 'Pets at Risk' program in 2015 with $100,000 provided over four years. The organisation finds foster homes for the animals of victims of domestic violence.

"This program assists women to leave safely and to feel confident that their pets will also be safe so essentially it is a life-saving program," said Ms Gillespie.

The 'Pets at Risk' programs help find shelter for the pets of 3,500 families each year at a variety of sites.

The demand is high, and they have to turn away an equal number of animals.

The organisation is struggling to meet the high demands on their service, meaning women and children are staying in high-risk and violent homes for longer.

"We would very much like to see funding increased and for the longevity of that funding, for it to be sustainable," she said.

 

Where to go for help with pets

If you are a victim of domestic violence and need to place your pet in temporary care contact one of the following agencies:

VIC: Animal Aid Pets in Peril (03) 9739 0300

NSW: RSPCA Safe Bed (02) 9782 4408

QLD: RSPCA Pets in Crisis 1800 811 811

WA: Shelter WA (08) 9300 0340

NT: Dawn House (08) 8945 1388

SA: RSPCA Safe Kennels DV Project 1300 477 722

TAS: Shelter Tasmania: 1800 800 588 (free call)

 

Crisis support for adults and children

In a life threatening emergency call TRIPLE ZERO (000) for Police - Fire - Ambulance  

Available 24/7 Emergency service for all Australians in an emergency.

 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, and you are unsure which service to contact, call: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kid's HelpLine on 1800 55 1800.  

 

Both are available from anywhere in Australia 24 hours a day (toll free) and provide crisis counselling, information and referral services.

CLICK HERE for a list of national and state 24/7 crisis and domestic violence help lines. For additional resources in non-urgent situations, try our Useful Links.

 

Published by Divorce Resource