Abuse Connection: The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence

...neighbors are far more likely to report suspected animal abuse

than child abuse and neglect, domestic violence or elder abuse.

This is because the animals are often in plain sight

and people feel sympathy for the animals' plight.

Pet Abuse.com

Hey! Who's Abusing Whom, Here?

Can't help wondering...what you're wondering about? Do you feel as I do? That there's something inherently sorrowful about the idea that something has to be in plain sight before we acknowlege it is, feels sympathy, and decide to do something about it?

Do you also wonder why I've included Pet Abuse.com on this site about child abuse?
Pet Abuse.com answers that. "One of the basic premises behind integrating animal cruelty enforcement with other types of family violence prevention" is that there are so many established connections.
They say:

• If you break it down to its bare essentials: "Abusing an animal is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend itself."


• Now break down a human crime, say rape. If we substitute a few pronouns, it's the SAME THING.


• "Rape is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend themselves."


• Now try it with, say, domestic abuse such as child abuse or spousal abuse:


• "Child abuse is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend themselves."


• Do you see the pattern here?

A child is waiting.

Take care...be aware,

Nancy Lee