Human and Animal Victims of Domestic Violence: Being Rescued

Abstract

In this opening chapter we explain why we have focused this book on human and companion animal relationships in the context of domestic violence. We briefly introduce the reader to the projects that we have conducted that we draw on throughout this book to illustrate the potential power of companion animal relationships. We show that for many abuse and trauma victims, these interspecies relationships have healing power. Here we speak of abuse and trauma victims across the divide of humans/companion animals. As we discuss, the non-judgmental support that companion animals offer to many humans can play an important role in the aftermath of domestic violence. In considering the links between human and animal abuse in the context of domestic violence, we stress the impact on animals themselves. In the remainder of this opening chapter we outline the scope of this book, define the terms that we use, and discuss the context within which we are writing.