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Posted: 8th April 2013

Domestic abuse and animal cruelty
Image: Freda Scott-Park, Steve Burden Photography
Role of the veterinary team explored

At the recent BSAVA Congress, delegates flocked to a talk on the links between animal cruelty and domestic abuse, where the role of vets was outlined.

The talk was opened by Freda Scott-Park from the Links Group, an organisation that promotes the protection of vulnerable children, animals and adults from violence.

Dr Scott-Park began by discussing the link between pet abuse and domestic violence, highlighting real-life cases where pets have been the victims of abuse, and shortly after a child or adult from the same family has also been harmed or even killed. She raised the question: "Could we have made a difference?"

It was put to the delegates that there are three types of vet: those that do not see and do not hear, those who see and hear but do not act, and those who see and hear, and want to help.

Another speaker at the meeting was Detective Inspector Linda Borland, who told delegates that police forces across the country are convinced that violence against pets can be an early indication that other family members are at risk, and that vets have an important role to play in dealing with this issue.

Recognising that this role can be a difficult one, Dr Scott-Park has written a guidance document - Recognising abuse in animals and humans - which is to be published on the group's website shortly. The plan, she says, is to "give the veterinary team the confidence they need to recognise abuse…so that we know what to do if we are confronted with it."

To further assist vets in dealing with cases of intentional harm, the Links Group and Medics Against Violence (MAV) have developed a practice protocol - the MAV Practice Note 2. Borrowing from a scheme used by dentists in the US, the protocol consists of four steps - Asking, Validating, Documenting and Referring/Reporting (AVDR).

Dr Scott-Park stressed that it is not the responsibility of vets to become experts in domestic abuse, but to extend the hand of friendship, and consider the idea that if an animal is being abused, perhaps the owner is too. She referred to this as "grasping the golden moment", where it could be possible to make a difference. Veterinary nurses, she added, can be crucial in taking up the role of confidante.

It was also announced during the meeting that a pilot training programme will launch in Stirling, Scotland on 17 April. These have been created by the Links Group and MAV, and aim to help members of the profession to understand their role in cases of domestic abuse, and to equip them with the skills and confidence to deal with them.



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