A national roadmap to ensure victim-survivors of domestic and family violence can seek safety without leaving their pets behind has been launched at Parliament House.
The roadmap recognises the reality that people often delay leaving, or do not leave, a violent partner or abusive household because of their concerns about the safety and wellbeing of their pets.
It was launched at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday with the support of Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Ged Kearney, and Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin.
There has never been a national strategy or policy to address family violence used against people and animals at a systemic level. Animals are not currently recognised as formal victims of domestic and family violence, despite evidence perpetrators often use violence against animals to control both animals and humans, and to cause emotional or psychological distress.
Victim-survivors of family violence often face barriers to safety because there is a lack of animal-inclusive crisis accommodation.
The National Roadmap for Change to Prevent and End Family Violence against People and Animals, which has been championed by the charity Lucy’s Project, will deliver an Australian-first framework to drive national action.
“For too long the connection between human and animal safety has been overlooked. We know that if animals are at risk of violence, then the people who love them are at risk too,” said Lucy’s Project CEO Monique Dam.
“When there is nowhere safe for survivors to go with their animals, many delay leaving and are forced to continue living with a partner and parent using violence. When animals are killed or harmed, or separated from them, women and children grieve this loss for decades afterwards.”
“We are calling on all levels of government to adopt the Roadmap’s recommendations and invest in coordinated reform that protects people and animals together.”
It comes as 73 per cent of Australian households live with a pet, and as one in four women report experiencing domestic violence.
A key recommendation of the roadmpap is to acknowledge that animals are victim-survivors of family violence in their own right and to allow family violence protection orders to be made for animals.
Talie Star is a survivor advocate whose insights and lived experience has informed the national roadmap.
“Being in a place where there was not a lot of love, my animals created that love and that safe place. It was like a softness in all the hardness,” Star said.
“When you are going through pretty much daily violence, it’s a different and stronger connection.”
Lucy’s Project has been supported by the Petstock Foundation with a $150,000 investment.
“Our partnership with Lucy’s Project reflects a shared commitment to creating a future where every person and animal is safe from family violence,” Naomi Mancktelow, Petstock Foundation Team Lead, said.
“Most Australians consider pets as members of their family, and no person should have to choose between their safety and the safety of their pet.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.