Interconnections Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence

Animal abuse and domestic violence are increasingly recognised as co-occurring phenomena that reinforce and exacerbate each other. Research has demonstrated that violence towards companion animals often precedes, accompanies or follows violence against human family members, serving both as a tactic of coercion and as an early warning of broader household dysfunction. Survivors of domestic abuse frequently delay seeking help out of fear for their pets’ safety, while abusers exploit emotional bonds to strengthen control. This interconnection spans physical, emotional and economic dimensions, with patterns of neglect, intimidation and direct harm reflecting underlying power imbalances. Recognising these links has driven calls for integrated risk assessments, pet-inclusive safety planning and cross-sector collaboration between veterinary services, social work, law enforcement and shelter providers. Globally, initiatives that accommodate companion animals in refuge settings and train frontline professionals to spot signs of dual victimisation are gaining traction. By adopting a holistic perspective that acknowledges the welfare of all sentient beings, stakeholders can more effectively interrupt cycles of cruelty and protect vulnerable individuals across species.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Interconnections Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in interconnections between animal abuse and domestic violence across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Sentinel indicator: A warning sign in one domain (e.g. animal harm) that predicts risk in another domain (e.g. human abuse).

Co-victimisation: The simultaneous or sequential victimisation of humans and animals within the same abusive setting.

One Health, One Welfare: An interdisciplinary approach recognising the interconnected health and wellbeing of people, animals and their shared environments.

Bioecological systems model: A theoretical framework describing how individual behaviour is shaped by nested environmental contexts, from immediate family to broader societal influences.

References

1. Animal abuse and intimate partner violence: researching the link and its significance in Ireland - a veterinary perspective. Irish Veterinary Journal (2008).
2. Understanding the Link between Animal Cruelty and Family Violence: The Bioecological Systems Model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2020).
3. Animal Abuse as an Indicator of Domestic Violence: One Health, One Welfare Approach. Animals (2022).